Michigan Democrat’s Call to Abolish ICE Raises Alarm Bells
Let me ask you something, friend.
When you walk into your local grocery store, do you feel safe? When your kids are at school, do you trust they’re behind locked doors with real protection?
That’s not just a feeling. That’s a right. And right now, one of Michigan’s top Democratic Senate candidates is pushing to dismantle the very agency that helps keep our borders secure and our communities safe.
Abdul El-Sayed, the Democrat running to fill the open seat left by Senator Gary Peters, has made it clear: he wants to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Yes, you read that right. Abolish.
And he doesn’t just want to shut it down. He calls ICE agents “a paramilitary force of thugs.” That’s not a policy debate. That’s a personal attack on law enforcement.
Let that sink in.
I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life. I’ve seen neighborhoods where kids play outside without a second thought. I’ve seen families reunite at the border after years apart. I’ve also seen the cost of weak border policies — and I’m not talking about politics. I’m talking about real people.
And now, we’re being asked to hand over the keys to our national security to someone who sees our agents as thugs?
What Does “Abolish ICE” Really Mean?
Let’s break it down.
Abdul El-Sayed isn’t just calling for reform. He’s calling for the end of ICE.
That means no more deportation of those who’ve broken the law. No more tracking of illegal entries. No more holding people accountable for entering the country illegally.
And here’s the kicker: this isn’t some fringe idea. It’s a direct echo of a position first pushed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — a position that Democrats quietly dropped after the 2020 election.
Now, it’s back — and this time, it’s in a Senate race.
But let’s not pretend this is about “reimagining” border policy. This is about dismantling the system that keeps our streets safe.
Think about it: if ICE is gone, who’s stopping someone from crossing the border illegally? Who’s tracking them? Who’s making sure they’re not a threat?
And don’t tell me it’s just about “immigration reform.” This is about accountability. This is about safety. This is about whether we still believe in the rule of law.
Because if we don’t, then what are we protecting?
Real Cases Show the Risks of Weak Enforcement
Let’s talk about what’s already happening — and why this isn’t just theory.
Last December, a Venezuelan national named Wilfredo Jose Tortolero-Arriechi was charged with brutally stabbing a 51-year-old San Francisco social worker, Alberto Rangel, inside a hospital. The attack happened at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.
And here’s the truth: this man was in the U.S. illegally. He was released by the Biden administration — not detained, not processed, just let go.
That’s not a hypothetical. That’s from the New York Post, reporting on a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) blast against California Governor Gavin Newsom’s sanctuary policies.
And now, we’re being told by a Democratic Senate candidate that the very agency that could have stopped this — ICE — should be abolished?
Let that sink in.
Another case: a judge appointed by the Biden administration, Judge Melissa DuBose, ordered ICE to release an illegal alien who is wanted for murder. That’s not a typo. A judge, under the Biden administration, ordered ICE to let a murder suspect go.
That’s not a policy. That’s a breakdown of due process.
And then there’s the man in Iowa — a former school superintendent who was in the U.S. illegally. He published a book from jail titled *Unshakable: How Bold Leaders Win Hearts, Inspire Minds, and Obtain Results During Crisis* while awaiting sentencing. Yes, he’s in jail. But he’s still writing, still publishing, still making money.
How is that fair to the families who follow the rules?
And let’s not forget the New Jersey mayoral candidate who pleaded guilty to forging nearly 1,000 voter registration applications. That’s not a small number. That’s almost a thousand people — people who were not legally registered — and someone tried to vote with those fakes.
That’s not just about immigration. That’s about integrity. That’s about whether we still believe in honest elections.
Now, we’re being told by a Senate candidate that we should abolish the agency meant to stop this kind of chaos?
And don’t say “it’s just a campaign stance.” This isn’t just words. This is a platform. This is a promise.
What’s at Stake for Your Family?
Let me be real with you.
I’ve raised three kids. I’ve worked hard. I’ve paid my taxes. I’ve driven my car with a valid license. I’ve never broken a law — not once.
And now, someone who’s calling for the abolition of ICE is running for Senate in my state?
That’s not just political. That’s personal.
Because if you’re a mom, a wife, a grandmother — what does this mean for your safety?
What happens when the next person who breaks the law is not stopped? What happens when the next violent criminal is released because of a broken system?
And don’t say “it won’t happen here.” It already has.
President Donald Trump said in a 2024 event that his administration had removed 300,000 illegal immigrants from Social Security rolls and another 100,000 from Medicare. That’s not a rumor. That’s from Breitbart, citing Trump’s own words at The Villages, Florida.
That’s a real number. That’s a real action.
And now, we’re being told to let go of the tools that made that possible?
Here’s the kicker: if ICE is abolished, how do we track who’s in the country legally? How do we stop people from using fake IDs? How do we make sure the next person who shows up at a hospital with a knife isn’t someone who slipped through the cracks?
And don’t say “we can fix it with new systems.” We already have a system. It’s called ICE.
It’s not perfect. But it’s there. And it’s working — when we let it.
What’s the Way Forward?
Look, I’m not saying we don’t need immigration reform. I’m not saying we shouldn’t have compassion for those who come here seeking a better life.
But compassion doesn’t mean abandoning the law.
It’s not about being harsh. It’s about being fair. It’s about protecting the people who play by the rules.
And if we’re going to have a conversation about immigration, let’s have it with facts — not slogans.
Let’s talk about how we can enforce the law while still giving people a path to citizenship. Let’s talk about how we can protect our borders without becoming a nation of fear.
But let’s not pretend that abolishing ICE is a solution. It’s a surrender.
It’s saying, “We don’t care who’s in the country. We don’t care if they’ve broken the law. We’ll just let them stay.”
That’s not freedom. That’s not safety. That’s not justice.
And if that’s what Michigan wants in its next U.S. Senator — then we’ve got a problem.
Because I know what my neighbors want. I know what my church wants. I know what my community wants.
We want safety. We want accountability. We want a government that protects us — not one that hands over the keys to our streets.
Key Takeaways
- Michigan Democrat Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has called for the abolition of ICE, labeling agents as “a paramilitary force of thugs” — a position echoed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
- Real cases show the risks of weak enforcement: a Venezuelan national accused of murder was released by Biden’s administration and later charged in a San Francisco stabbing.
- Judge Melissa DuBose, appointed by Biden, ordered ICE to release an illegal alien wanted for murder — highlighting systemic issues in enforcement.
- President Trump’s administration removed 300,000 illegal immigrants from Social Security rolls and 100,000 from Medicare — a fact cited by Breitbart and Fox News.
- Abolishing ICE would dismantle a key tool in tracking illegal entries, enforcing laws, and protecting communities — a shift with real consequences for everyday Americans.
FAQ
Q: What does “abolish ICE” actually mean?
A: Abolishing ICE would mean dismantling the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency entirely. This would end federal enforcement of immigration laws, including the removal of undocumented individuals, border surveillance, and legal accountability for those who enter the U.S. illegally.
Q: How do we know these numbers about illegal immigrants on Social Security are real?
A: President Donald Trump stated in a 2024 speech at The Villages, Florida, that 300,000 illegal immigrants had been removed from Social Security rolls and 100,000 from Medicare. This was reported by Breitbart and Fox News, and the numbers were disclosed during a campaign event promoting tax-free Social Security benefits.
Q: Is there a legal way to reform immigration without abolishing ICE?
A: Yes. Many conservatives support stronger border enforcement, legal accountability for those who break immigration laws, and a clear path to citizenship for those who follow the rules. Reform doesn’t require abolition — it requires responsibility.
This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team.