The Record
ICE
Support for abolishing ICE has grown. Here is the history, the polls, and where the leaders stand.
The history
ICE was created in 2003
ICE was created March 1, 2003 under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, absorbing functions of the former INS and the Customs Service.
Sources
The polls
Civiqs poll, Jan 2026
A Civiqs poll reported in January 2026 found 42 percent supported abolishing ICE and 49 percent opposed, up from 25 percent at the start of 2025.
Sources
YouGov poll
A YouGov poll after the Minneapolis shootings found 46 percent support, a plurality.
Civiqs poll, Jan 2026: support for abolishing ICE has grown
Support abolishing ICE42%
Oppose49%
Support at start of 202525%
Where the leaders stand
Jeffries on ICE
In February 2026, asked repeatedly to say "abolish ICE," Jeffries declined and said he would use his own language. On Oct 26, 2026 in Houston he said ICE and DHS should not count on Democratic funding without structural changes and greater accountability.
Schumer on ICE
Asked whether he would support abolishing ICE, Schumer said only that he has "lots of problems with ICE."
Our view
Abolish ICE completely and hold anyone who broke the law accountable under the law. Not endorsing that is a failure of leadership.