Illinois Lt. Gov. Calls for Abolishing ICE

During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press NOW,” Julianna Stratton, the Lieutenant Governor of Illinois and a current candidate for the U.S. Senate, expressed her support for eliminating ICE. She stated, “What doesn’t work — and I don’t think anyone would argue otherwise — is criminalizing our immigrant neighbors. That’s simply unacceptable.” Stratton emphasized that the focus should be on providing support and facilitating the path to citizenship.

Moderator Kristen Welker raised a concern, asking, “You mention that ICE should be abolished, but do you worry that your stance may conflict with what your party’s position is regarding ICE?”

Stratton recalled events from the Midway Blitz in Chicago, highlighting the harshness of federal actions: “We had a president who claimed he would target the worst offenders. What we saw were tamale vendors apprehended without due process or warrants.” She stressed that the ongoing impact of these actions remains a significant issue in the city. “People are seeking accountability. I believe the agency does not need to adjust its approach but rather we must adopt a holistic strategy to create genuine pathways to legal citizenship, increase funding for immigration judges, social services, and community resources. Criminalizing our immigrant neighbors is simply unacceptable, and the actions of ICE and CBP illustrate that.” She assured that they will pursue accountability for those who misuse their power in Illinois.

Welker pressed on, asking, “If ICE and DHS aren’t the right entities, then which agency should handle immigration and deportation?”

Stratton responded, “We really need to rethink our approach. Remember, the Department of Homeland Security was established with a primary focus on counterterrorism, which inherently leads to a punitive perspective. Starting from that mindset shapes how we view immigrant communities, and it detracts from supporting them and guiding them toward citizenship. We should be exploring alternative strategies to ensure individuals can access necessary resources. We need to consider how we can better serve DACA recipients and DREAMers, acknowledging the efforts of Senator Durbin in this context. While we cannot ignore the tactics of federal agents — which often feel aggressive — it doesn’t compare to the immense challenges faced in many cities, particularly in more progressive areas.”