Mike Pence admonishes immigration critics: 'Under President Trump, we will never abolish ICE'

Vice President Mike Pence says calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement are "outrageous" and "irresponsible."

Speaking to ICE employees on Friday, Pence defended the "American heroes" of the agency and denounced political figures and progressive Americans who have advocated for its abolition.

"The American people have a right to their opinions," said Pence, "but these spurious attacks on ICE by our political leaders must stop." The vice president name-checked Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who, shockingly, "are actually openly advocating" for the end of ICE, which Pence called "appalling."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

In defense of ICE, Pence appealed to unfounded fears that illegal immigration increases gang violence and violent crime, additionally claiming that ICE officers and their families have been put at risk by the recent public outcry. "We are with you 100 percent," Pence pledged, "Under President Trump we will never abolish ICE."