Listen to the article
Senator Warner Acknowledges Biden Administration “Screwed Up” on Border Security, Criticizes ICE Tactics
Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia has conceded that the Biden administration “screwed up” in its handling of the southern border while simultaneously criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics. In an appearance on Fox News’ “Special Report,” Warner expressed concern that 75% of individuals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Virginia have no criminal records.
“They may have come across illegally into our country, but 75% of the people who have been arrested have no further criminal record,” Warner stated, challenging the federal government’s claim that it is targeting the “worst of the worst” in President Trump’s deportation efforts.
When pressed about whether Virginia should cooperate with ICE on apprehending individuals with criminal backgrounds, Warner advocated for a more collaborative approach. “Let’s potentially work on those who have criminal records,” he said, “but that is different than what’s happening right now.”
The senator specifically criticized current enforcement methods, citing instances where “masked ICE agents [are] picking up moms dropping off their kids, folks going to work” and situations where children are left unattended after their parents are detained.
Warner’s comments come amid heightened tensions following two recent ICE-related shootings. In Minneapolis, U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross, who reportedly fired into her vehicle’s windshield and open window before exclaiming profanities as the car crashed. The incident has sparked protests, with Democrats condemning it as murder while the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers have defended it as justified.
A week later, another ICE agent shot an alleged undocumented immigrant in the leg during an arrest attempt. The Department of Homeland Security claimed the agent fired because he feared for his safety after being “violently assaulted” by the individual who was resisting arrest.
These incidents have led to significant community backlash, including protests in Minneapolis where Warner noted that approximately 3,500 ICE agents have been deployed, outnumbering the local police force of about 800 officers.
“I believe that local law enforcement is pretty damn good at going after actual criminals,” Warner remarked. He expressed particular concern about ICE agents staking out courthouses to detain individuals who are attempting to obtain legal status. “When we have ICE agents, I’ve seen in my state, sitting outside a courthouse, when somebody comes to do their hearing as they try to get legal status in our country, and they get picked up because they did the right thing in reporting in, I’m not sure that’s the system we ought to be having at this point.”
The senator’s comments also touched on Virginia Representative Abigail Spanberger’s move to end collaboration between state law enforcement and ICE for apprehending undocumented immigrants with criminal records. Warner suggested that the lack of cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities is largely due to ICE’s controversial tactics.
The ongoing tensions highlight the complex and politically charged nature of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has made mass deportation a cornerstone of its policy agenda. As protests continue across the country, the debate over appropriate enforcement methods and the balance between security and humanitarian concerns remains at the forefront of national discourse.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
10 Comments
This is a complex issue without easy solutions. I’m curious to hear more about Senator Warner’s specific proposals for improving border security and immigration enforcement. A nuanced, bipartisan approach may be needed.
Agreed, this is a challenging problem that requires input from both parties. I hope Warner and other lawmakers can work together to find reasonable compromises.
It’s good to see a Democrat like Senator Warner acknowledging the Biden administration’s failures on border security. His criticism of ICE’s enforcement tactics seems reasonable – we should focus on criminals, not those with no criminal records.
I agree, a more targeted and collaborative approach with ICE could be more effective. Securing the border is important, but we need to balance that with fairness and due process.
Senator Warner’s comments highlight the need for a more balanced, evidence-based approach to border security and immigration enforcement. I hope this leads to constructive dialogue and policy changes, rather than just political posturing.
That’s a fair point. Ultimately, we need policies that address the core challenges in a thoughtful, humane way – not just political rhetoric. Hopefully Warner’s input can help steer things in a more productive direction.
This is a sensitive and politically charged topic. I appreciate Senator Warner’s willingness to call out problems with the administration’s approach, even if it goes against his party’s position. Nuance and bipartisanship are needed here.
Agreed, this is not an easy issue with simple solutions. Warner’s comments show a commendable willingness to break from partisan lines in the interest of finding practical solutions.
It’s refreshing to see a Democrat like Senator Warner willing to criticize their own party on an issue like this. Acknowledging policy failures is important for making progress. I wonder what he thinks the best path forward is.
Absolutely, constructive criticism from within one’s own party can be valuable. I’m curious to hear more of Warner’s specific ideas for improving border security and immigration enforcement.