Progressive Candidate Pushes “Abolish ICE” Agenda in New Jersey House Race

New Jersey’s Democratic landscape may shift as Mikie Sherrill’s successor in the House could be a staunch advocate for the movement to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Analilia Mejia, a left-leaning candidate, stirred a lively crowd with chants for ending ICE during a recent rally.

Mejia referenced the tragic shooting of Renee Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis as a key reason for advocating the dismantling of the agency. “Abolish ICE now,” Mejia declared, gaining loud applause, while also asserting that Good deserved “justice.” The Trump administration has argued that the ICE officers acted in self-defense, claiming Good attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon.

“You can’t reform it,” she continued, dismissing any possibility of fixing ICE. “It’s unfixable. Take it out. Kick it. It’s wrong. Forget it.”

Support for Mejia is growing among notable progressives as she prepares for the Democratic primary set for February 5. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who has endorsed her, led a rally that attracted over 500 attendees. Mejia previously held a position as the national political director for Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign.

Other politicians backing Mejia include Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.

As Mejia’s endorsement of the “Abolish ICE” movement comes amidst a broader Democratic call to defund or dismantle the agency, it raises questions about potential backlash from moderate Democrats and independents. While progressive Democrats initially embraced this platform during Trump’s term, they have since shied away from it following electoral defeats in 2022 and 2024.

Sherrill resigned from Congress following her gubernatorial victory, being sworn in as New Jersey’s 57th governor in December 2025.

Mejia has subtly criticized her ten opponents for the Democratic nomination, including former Rep. Tom Malinowski, expelled in 2022 due to an ethics investigation, and Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, who is supported by former Gov. Phil Murphy.

“At a time of rising authoritarianism, economic instability, and state-sanctioned violence, the old blue is no longer relevant,” Mejia stated. “You send a ‘weak source’ to Congress, and we will give you a ‘weak source’ back.”

In the Republican primary, Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway faces no opposition. A special general election is slated for mid-April.

The National Republican Congressional Committee criticized Mejia’s stance on abolishing ICE. NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole remarked, “Progressive hero Analilia Mejia’s far-left policies are unparalleled. She wants to take ideas like abolishing ICE and raising taxes on working families on the red carpet. New Jersey voters aren’t going to support that.”

The Cook Political Report considers this race to be “solidly Democratic,” noting that Democrats have a significant advantage with about a 15-point margin in this district.

Legislation introduced by Democratic Representative Shri Thanedar aims to completely dismantle ICE, but no Democratic senator has yet co-sponsored this proposal.