Sen. Welch on DHS Funding and ICE Operations

During a segment on “CNN News Central” Thursday, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vermont) expressed that blocking funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would do “very little” to restrict the operations of ICE and CBP. He commented on the courage of Minneapolis residents who recorded videos of incidents that highlighted the tension between ICE and the violence faced by innocent citizens. Welch noted that as a result of this activism, ICE has begun withdrawing from Minneapolis, calling this approach outdated.

Co-host Brianna Keillor inquired, “Will withholding DHS funding actually stop ICE and CBP from functioning, which is what Democrats oppose?”

Welch responded that realistically, the impact would be minimal. He reiterated that it was the residents of Minneapolis who made a significant difference through their recordings, standing between ICE and the threats faced by innocent people. He emphasized that now ICE’s presence in Minneapolis seems outdated. Still, he raised two crucial questions: Firstly, what standards should law enforcement adhere to for effectiveness? He believes these agencies should be held to consistent standards like everyone else. Secondly, he strongly questioned whether the president and DHS should pursue mass deportation policies, pointing out that only 14% of those arrested have serious criminal records. Welch criticized the push for a quota of 3,000 arrests daily, indicating that many innocent individuals, including U.S. citizens, are caught in this net. While he supports the deportation of criminals, he advocates for a more targeted approach. He disapproved of tactics that send armed ICE agents into communities, as seen in Minneapolis, causing disruption and interfering with local law enforcement efforts. Welch hopes for a more thoughtful conversation surrounding the effectiveness of mass deportation policies, stating his disagreement and the unnecessary harm it causes to everyone involved.