Sherrill, Webber Say They Support ICE, Will Be Tough On Crime

MORRISTOWN, NJ — ICE has become a hot topic in the race for NJ-11, with both sides saying they support the agency while accusing the other of being weak on crime.

Jay Webber, a Republican, and Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, have both made a point to say they do not support recent calls to abolish ICE while saying the other does not do enough to support law enforcement agencies.

“I stand with the women and men who serve and sacrifice as ICE agents and employees. It is important that our elected representatives support the law enforcement community. It is unconscionable that Mikie Sherrill stands with those who call for the abolition of ICE. Her position is indefensible and dangerous," Webber said at a rally on Tuesday.

Sherrill says that she does not support abolishing ICE, citing her background as a federal prosecutor.

“I stand with our law enforcement officials. I know how difficult their jobs are and the toll that gun violence, gang violence, and the opioid crisis takes on our officers and the communities they serve. I do not support the abolishment of ICE. I believe deeply that we must come together, Democrats and Republicans, to solve our immigration crisis by fixing our broken system and securing our borders," Sherrill said in a statement.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, usually just called ICE, is the agency tasked with arresting and deporting people who are in the country illegally, and with pursuing certain types of crimes. ICE is not a particularly old government agency; it was established in 2003 in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, and is a part of the Department of Homeland Security. Before 2003, the Immigration and Naturalization Service handled immigration issues under the Justice Department.

An "Abolish ICE" movement has gained some traction in recent weeks among Democratic lawmakers and candidates. The movement began as Trump pursued a "zero tolerance" stance on illegal border crossings, the Atlantic reported. Some Democrats, like Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) say that immigration issues should be handled separately from criminal enforcement, and have called for a new agency to be established.

Some ICE agents have supported reorganization calls, the New York Times reported.

In addition to reaffirming their support of ICE, both NJ-11th candidates called on local sheriffs to support them as tough-on-crime.

“I’ve known Mikie from her days as an Assistant U.S. Attorney here in New Jersey. She worked closely with officers in Passaic County to keep illegal guns off the street and prosecute drug dealers and has always strongly supported our law enforcement community. I know she will continue to do so in Congress," Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik said about Sherrill.

"Every Sheriff's office and local police department would be in a tough spot if we did not have Immigration and Customs Enforcement supporting us, and vice versa. They’re an essential cog in the wheel of the law enforcement network that is moving at full speed, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If people want to send someone to Washington who will be tough on crime and have the backs of the law enforcement community, then they need to get out and support Jay Webber," Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada said in support of Webber.

Images: Campaign images