Along with 15 others, U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith has cosponsored a resolution condemning efforts by congressional Democrats to abolish the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Abolishing ICE means abandoning our borders and leaving them open to anyone,” said Hyde-Smith. “That’s just irresponsible and certainly not in the best interest of the American people and their security. We are a nation of laws and we must enforce our immigration laws.”
The resolution was introduced by Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) and denounces calls to dissolve ICE while expressing continued support for the immigration enforcement mission conducted by ICE.
In addition, the resolution cites work done by ICE to enforce U.S. immigration laws, including the efforts to battle human trafficking, fight illegal drug trafficking, and remove criminal illegal aliens from the country.
The measure mentions that ICE agents made almost 127,000 arrests in 2017 alone, including criminals who were responsible for more than 50,000 assaults, 2,000 kidnappings, and 1,800 homicides. It also mentions the more than 980,000 pounds of narcotics and 4,800 gang members removed from the United States last year.
In addition to Hyde-Smith, the Kennedy resolution is cosponsored by Senators: Roy Blunt (R- Mo.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Tom Tillis (R-N.C.).
