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Democratic Rep. Pocan defends push to abolish ICE

Posted at 11:24 AM, Jul 10, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-10 12:44:56-04

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan is defending the push by him and other Democrats to abolish the federal government's chief immigration enforcement agency, saying it's been misused by President Donald Trump.

Pocan, who represents the Madison area, on Monday spoke to reporters about his bill to abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency known as ICE. He wants to create a commission to recommend how to replace it or move its duties to other existing agencies.

The idea has support among some liberal Democrats but conservatives have said it shows Democrats are weak on enforcing immigration laws.

The White House last week tweeted criticism of Pocan, asking if his support of eliminating ICE means he supports human smuggling.

Pocan says that criticism is "either stupid or intentionally misleading" because border patrol is not ICE's mission.