ICE has fired back at progressive billionaire Tom Steyer for threatening to put all agents “in jail” after revealing his anti-immigration enforcement manifesto.
“Tom Steyer, ICE is not a political football,” the federal agencywrote on XSaturday.
“Our agents and officers are sworn to protect this nation from dangerous criminals ranging from child abusers to cartel members,” the agency went on to say. “We urge you to join us in protecting Californians from these ongoing threats.”
ICE, alongside its comments, shared footage of acting ICE Director Todd Lyons responding to February footage of Steyer promising to abolish the agency.Lyons only just resignedlast Thursday to spend more time with family.
Lyons blamed Steyer’s rhetoric for why ICE agents are unfairly demonized and noted California has beenunhelpful when coordinatingwith the federal government on this issue.
ICE’s response, ironically, may serve to politically boost Steyer in his bid to burnish a reputation to the state’s Democratic voters as someone who would punish ICE the furthest. The agencyisn’t viewed favorablyby the state’s liberals for its deportations of illegal immigrants.
“To Californians, you ARE the ongoing threat,” Steyersaid in responseto ICE’s post. “The governor’s most important job is to protect Californians — that includes protecting them from ICE.”
Only a few days ago, Steyer doubled down on his anti-ICE platform. He released a manifesto which stated that not only should ICE be abolished, but it should also be treated like a criminal organization.
He laid out a five-point plan that includes a ban on racial discrimination by ICE agents, authority to the state attorney general to hold ICE leadership accountable, a special unit dedicated towards enforcing ICE-related laws and more legal defense for immigrants.
Despite his signaling, his fellow Democrats in the governor’s race are keen to undermine that anti-ICE reputation.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
