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 agency wrote on X Saturday.
“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 resigned last Thursday to spend more time with family.
Lyons blamed Steyer’s rhetoric for why ICE agents are unfairly demonized and noted California has been unhelpful when coordinating with 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 agency isn’t viewed favorably by the state’s liberals for its deportations of illegal immigrants.
“To Californians, you ARE the ongoing threat,” Steyer said in response to 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.
Many have already attacked numerous times his past investment in a company that now runs immigration detention facilities.
Steyer has repeatedly called his investment a “mistake”, saying that it was a “big wake-up call.” His competitors are telling voters not to buy it.
“Now he’s using those billions to try to convince us he’s seen the light? Californians deserve results – not a billionaire working on a rebrand,” said San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
Steyer is the Democratic frontrunner in the governor’s race, according to polls, after former congressman Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign due to sexual assault allegations.
