So, this is a new agency, part of the multiple layers of government and bureaucracy that was added after 9/11.
We as a country survived and thrived for 227 years without ICE, why is it now the linchpin to our very survival as a county?
They have a budget of more than 6 billion dollars a year, what do we get for that money? Does anyone have any stats on the return we are getting for that money since ICE was started in 2003?
The original purpose for ICE was to track down people who entered on visas and didn't leave and who were potential terrorists, like the 9-11 hijackers, and if anyone is really interested that was not the only terrorist attack done by people who entered as students or something and attacked us while being here illegally overstaying visas. And I'm not so sure that just focusing on high tech skills to choose who gets to come here is really the best test.
But ICE as it originated could call on local cops who are as interested in stopping crimes as anyone. And deporting gang members probably appeals to local cops too. But when it comes to using resources to jail dishwashers and gardeners who got a dui ... well ICE is paying local sheriffs to keep people locked up
The immigration system is broken, and ICE is just one facet of the failure. Today ICE is just the topic dejour for both political edge groups.