Democratic National Committee approves competing ICE resolutions

At its summer meeting in Austin, Texas, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) approved competing policy resolutions regarding the future of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The committee passed one resolution calling for the total abolition of the agency and the enactment of immigration reform that provides pathways to citizenship. Simultaneously, another resolution was approved calling for “concrete reforms” to the agency.

The push for abolition was introduced by DNC committeewoman Michele Johnson, who cited the deaths of detainees and allegations of poor facility conditions as motivation. The resolutions are non-binding and do not establish the official party platform, which is set at the 2028 convention, but they highlight internal party divisions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Republican leaders have criticized the move, with RNC Chairman Joe Gruters describing the resolution as “political suicide.” The debate comes amid heightened scrutiny of ICE following recent fatal encounters involving the agency.