Michigan Democrat Senate Candidate Calls for Abolishing ICE, Labels Agency ‘Paramilitary Thugs’

Clear Facts

• Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Michigan, has called ICE unconstitutional and demanded the agency be abolished
• El-Sayed labeled Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as “a paramilitary force of thugs”
• The Egyptian-American candidate claims ICE operates as a “private army” for former President Trump

Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate vying for a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan, has ignited controversy with inflammatory remarks targeting federal immigration enforcement. The Egyptian-American Muslim candidate made sweeping attacks against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration law and combating transnational crime.

El-Sayed characterized ICE as “a paramilitary force of thugs” and called for the complete abolition of the agency. His rhetoric represents one of the most extreme positions on immigration enforcement to emerge from a major party Senate candidate in recent years.

The Democratic hopeful went further, claiming that ICE operates as an unconstitutional entity and serves as “a private army” for former President Donald Trump. These assertions come despite ICE being a federal law enforcement agency established by Congress in 2003, operating under the Department of Homeland Security with clearly defined statutory authority.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement employs over 20,000 law enforcement and support personnel who conduct investigations into illegal immigration, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and other transnational crimes. The agency also manages immigration detention and removal operations for individuals in the country illegally.

El-Sayed’s call to abolish ICE aligns him with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which has increasingly embraced radical immigration positions. Critics argue that eliminating ICE would effectively create open borders and hamstring the federal government’s ability to enforce immigration law and protect national security.

The candidate’s remarks raise questions about how he would approach border security and immigration enforcement if elected to the Senate. Michigan voters will have to weigh whether El-Sayed’s vision for immigration policy reflects their values and priorities for the state and nation.

As the Senate race in Michigan develops, El-Sayed’s stance on ICE is likely to remain a central issue. His characterization of federal law enforcement officers as “thugs” stands in stark contrast to the traditional Democratic position of supporting law enforcement while seeking immigration reform.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.