Democrats disagree over abolishing or reforming ICE at DNC meeting

At a Democratic National Committee meeting in Austin, Texas, party members approved two competing messages on whether the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished or reformed, underscoring divisions ahead of midterms. The DNC also signed off on policy positions that include “concrete reforms” of ICE and, separately, a call to eliminate the agency. While the vote is not binding and does not set the party platform—determined at the 2028 convention—it reflects different approaches on an issue that has energized progressives since 2018. DNC Chairman Ken Martin said Democrats broadly agree ICE and Customs and Border Protection actions should stop. An AP-NORC poll found only 39% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s immigration performance.