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By Marni Rose McFall
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A number of high-profile Democrats have voiced support for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti on January 24.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker are just two of the big names on the list of lawmakers compiled by Newsweek, as backlash against the agents actions continues to grow, both from politicians and the public.
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek in response to calls to abolish ICE: "Attacks and demonization of ICE law enforcement is wrong. Because of smears like this our ICE officers are now facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists.
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"While Mayor Mamdani, Governor Hochul, and their sanctuary politicians across the state have released nearly 7,000 criminal illegal aliens from their jails into New York communities, ICE law enforcement is arresting criminals and saving countless American lives. Mayor Mamdani should be thanking our law enforcement for removing these dangerous criminals from his city—NOT vilifying law enforcement."
Why It Matters
Calls to abolish ICE circulated during Trump’s first administration. Now, a year into his second, these calls have begun to accelerate.
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In the space of less than three weeks in Minnesota, both Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, and Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, have been shot dead by immigration agents in Minneapolis. Widespread protests followed the killings.
In response to the deaths of Good and Pretti, the Trump administration has said the shootings were in self-defense. In the case of Pretti, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said he moved toward officers while carrying a gun and became aggressive when they attempted to take it away, which prompted the agent to fire what she described as defensive rounds.
It was confirmed that Pretti had a firearm on his person at the time of his death. Footage from the incident shows Pretti being pushed to the ground by multiple officers, and then one officer then removes a handgun from Pretti's waistband and steps away. About a second later, a shot is fired. Though Pretti legally owned the weapon, the footage does not show him holding it.
But the deaths of Good and Pretti aren't the only fatalities associated with ICE. Thirty-two people died in ICE custody in 2025, in what marked the agency's worst annual figures in two decades, according to the Guardian. Wider concerns about ICE’s conduct, include alleged arrests without due process, arrests of children, and racial profiling.
A YouGov poll published on January 26 showed that more Americans support than oppose abolishing ICE: 46 percent of U.S. adults somewhat or strongly support the abolition, as opposed to 41 percent who somewhat or strongly oppose this, with 12 percent undecided.
Support shifts down party lines, with 76 percent of Democrats compared to 19 percent of Republicans somewhat or strongly supporting the abolition of ICE. While the figure among Republicans is lower, it is on the rise, up four points compared to early January.
List of Democrats Calling for the Abolition of ICE
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani
Mamdani, who had previously expressed support for abolishing ICE, wrote in a January 24 post on X, which was viewed 3.5 million times: "As tens of thousands across America protest the violence that ICE sows with impunity, federal agents shot and killed another person in Minneapolis today. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement terrorizes our cities. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement puts us all in danger. Abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib
Tlaib, who had previously expressed support for abolishing ICE, wrote in a post on X on January 23: "I stand in solidarity with today's historic general strike in Minnesota against ICE's violent attacks on our communities. This is how we defeat fascism. They have the guns, but we have the power to organize. Abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
Representative Summer Lee
Lee wrote in a post on X on January 24: "Federal agents are executing Americans in the streets. None of us are safe in a police state. Abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
Pritzker wrote on X on January 24: "It's time to abolish Trump’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
Congressman Shri Thanedar
Thanedar, who has previously called to abolish ICE, wrote on X on January 24: "Heartbroken to hear ICE has shot another person in Minnesota. Just last week I warned that more violence was inevitable if ICE continued to terrorize our communities. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is beyond reform, and must be abolished!"
Representative Ilhan Omar
Omar, who has previously backed the abolition of ICE, wrote in a post on X on January 25: "Voting NO on the DHS funding bill is the bare minimum. Backing Kristi Noem’s impeachment is the bare minimum. Holding law-breaking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents legally accountable is the bare minimum. ICE is beyond reform. Abolish it."
Juliana Stratton
The Illinois Lieutenant Governor and Senate Candidate wrote on X on January 25, "Minneapolis, Chicago stands with you. Abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
Representative Jim McGovern
McGovern wrote on X January 23 prior to Pretti’s shooting: "ICE is violently assaulting peaceful protesters & entering homes without warrants. They shot an innocent mom in the head & used a 5-year-old as bait. I voted against funding, but that’s not enough. Abolish and dismantle U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. If you support this s***, you are sick in the head."
Multiple Democrats who are currently running for office have also expressed support for the abolition of ICE. This list includes Bushra Amiwala, Cori Bush, Alex Bores, Kyle Blomquist, and Daniel Biss.
What Happens Next?
In the wake of Pretti’s shooting, the odds of a government shutdown taking place have surged. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said his party will block a Department of Homeland Security funding package, and many Democrats have spoken out against funding ICE.
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