DHS Former Official States Democrats Have “Picked the Wrong Fight” by Targeting ICE

Former acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Chad Wolf stated Saturday that Democrats have “picked the wrong fight” by pushing for limits on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while risking disruptions to other critical department operations.

In remarks, Wolf noted that such efforts would impact aviation security, cybersecurity, Coast Guard missions, and numerous other DHS functions without affecting ICE. He explained that in 98% of U.S. jurisdictions, ICE operates with local law enforcement within correctional facilities without public attention.

Wolf linked the political conflict to policies in so-called “sanctuary cities,” arguing that Democrats have created chaos by promoting these policies and are now using them as justification for further restrictions on ICE. He also criticized the Democratic Party’s attempt to enshrine specific ICE limitations into law, stating that several of their proposed changes were implemented under President Obama and later reversed by both Presidents Trump and Biden.

“I would say seven or eight out of those ten demands should be nonstarters for Republicans,” Wolf said. “If they pass, they will have a detrimental effect on ICE and their ability to carry out their mission.”