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Did Kamala back the ICE abolition?

In 2018, Kamala Harris supported ICE and its continued existence.

Published July 31, 2024 at 5:08am by

Donald Trump falsely claims Kamala Harris "supported abolishing ICE"

Statement: Kamala Harris “supported abolishing ICE." — Donald Trump at a 2024 campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In a series of attacks on his likely 2024 opponent, former President Donald Trump accused Vice President Kamala Harris of allowing a mass migrant border crossing and seeking to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Trump claimed Harris supported eliminating ICE, an agency tasked with detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants. However, Harris never explicitly stated she wanted to "abolish ICE," despite criticizing its practices and calling for change.

Harris’ Criticism of ICE:

In 2018, Harris stated ICE should focus on serious and violent crimes, not abusing its power.
In a 2018 interview, Harris said:

"Listen, I think there is no question that we’ve got to critically reexamine ICE and its role... Their mission I think is very much in question and has to be reexamined.”
Harris co-sponsored a bill to block ICE arrests at schools, hospitals, and religious institutions without approval and exigent circumstances.
Harris never called for fully eliminating ICE or the Department of Homeland Security.

Trump Campaign Response:

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung stated:

"...Harris 'ran on a platform dedicated to defunding the police and abolishing ICE,' and there is no question that she will implement these horrible policies if she has the chance."

Fact-Check Verdict: False.

While Harris opposed Trump's immigration policies and called for changes to ICE, she never advocated for its abolition or the elimination of the Department of Homeland Security.

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