Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) and Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) have introduced companion resolutions that, if approved, would express the House's and Senate's support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The Resolutions were introduced alongside Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) H.R. 6361 that would abolish ICE.
The Higgins and Kennedy Resolutions would, on behalf of the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively:
- express its continued support for all United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and personnel who carry out the important mission of ICE;
- denounce calls for the complete abolishment of ICE; and
- support the efforts of all Federal agencies, State law enforcement, and military personnel who bring law and order to our Nation’s borders.
"Americans support law and order and sovereign borders," Rep. Higgins said. "ICE plays a crucial role for our nation’s security and their service should be respected. Hopefully, this resolution will remind some of my colleagues across the aisle that we have been elected to serve American citizens, not foreign citizens, and certainly not illegal immigrants."
"Eliminating ICE shows a blatant disregard for the welfare of the American people and our nation’s immigration laws," said Sen. Kennedy. "With the ever present threat of MS-13 and international terrorism, along with an opioid crisis being fought at our border, abolishing ICE is unthinkable. ICE officers are in the trenches fighting those threats and protecting American families from the cross-border crime and illegal immigration that endanger our families. ICE deserves our gratitude and respect, not scorn and ridicule."
The Higgins Resolution has 57 total sponsors, including Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.). The Kennedy Resolution has 30 total sponsors.
NumbersUSA Founder & President Roy Beck issued the following statement in support of the Higgins Resolution.
“Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is probably the most under-appreciated law enforcement agency in our nation. The ICE officers who put their lives on the line each day to enforce our immigration laws and protect our communities against violent criminals, gangs, child predators, and terrorists deserve our support and our gratitude. In addition, ICE has the responsibility of protecting American workers and law-abiding businesses from the unfair competition with an illegal workforce. The cynical and dishonest campaign to abolish ICE is disgraceful, so NumbersUSA is extremely pleased that Congress will be voting on a resolution of support for ICE introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.). We gladly endorse this resolution, H. Res 990, and we proudly stand with the men and women of ICE.”
