Border Democrat poised to wield ICE purse strings rejects socialist defund push

Cuellar backs guarded ICE funding

Cuellar told Fox News Digital he wants Democrats to fund ICE while adding guardrails and rebuilding cooperation between state and federal immigration authorities. He said the agency will remain in place.

The longtime House member represents a southern border district that includes Laredo, where Border Patrol has a major presence. Cuellar describes himself among Democrats who favor strong border and immigration policies.

A split over enforcement spending

In January, Cuellar voted with Republicans for a Homeland Security funding bill that included billions of dollars for ICE. He later opposed a Republican-backed $70 billion enforcement package, citing concerns about oversight.

Cuellar said Democrats should not return to the Biden administration’s approach to asylum at the border. “We just can't open up the border,” he said, warning against allowing anyone who seeks asylum to enter at the border.

Progressive calls and state laws

The article says Trump administration enforcement operations took place in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Chicago and New Orleans. The White House reported more than 1.3 million arrests and 1.2 million illegal immigrants deported or leaving the country. Afterward, governors in New York, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland and Minnesota signed laws limiting local and state cooperation with federal immigration officials.