^{Photo: KVII}

Jayapal Defends Her Criticism of ICE Amid National Uproar: “The White House Owes the Public an Apology”

Washington, D.C. — In a heated exchange on CNN News Central, Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington defended her viral comments labeling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a “terrorist force.” Her remarks come amid mounting concerns over the tactics used in federal immigration enforcement—and escalating tension between progressive lawmakers and the Biden administration.

The Post That Sparked a Firestorm

On Tuesday, Jayapal posted on Instagram:

“ICE is acting like a terrorist force. People across the country of all legal statuses — including U.S. citizens — are being kidnapped and disappeared off the street by masked men. No oversight, no accountability. Completely lawless.”

The post quickly attracted national media attention and ignited criticism from both conservative and centrist voices in Washington.

White House Responds: “Disgusting and Dangerous”

The White House swiftly responded through spokesperson Abigail Jackson, who issued a statement obtained by Fox News Digital:

“Jayapal’s disgusting comments warrant an immediate apology. Heroic ICE officers are simply doing their jobs and enforcing federal immigration law with the utmost professionalism.”

Jackson went further, suggesting that such rhetoric was directly contributing to a surge in violence against ICE officers:

“Dangerous smears by deranged leftists like Jayapal radicalize their supporters to violently attack and obstruct federal law enforcement. Assaults against ICE agents have increased by 500% this year, and that number will likely rise if Jayapal doesn’t stop with her smears.”

Jayapal Doubles Down on Criticism

In her live interview with CNN's Brianna Keilar, Jayapal pushed back forcefully, saying the real outrage was not her comments—but ICE’s actions:

“What is deranged and cruel is that we are seeing ICE agents—at least they claim to be—operating in plain clothes, wearing masks, without identification, and abducting individuals off the streets. That’s not law enforcement. That’s terror.”

Jayapal emphasized that even U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents were being targeted:

“People who’ve been here for 20 years, who've committed no crimes, are being swept up and deported. That is unconstitutional. That is illegal. And that is terrorizing families, communities, and businesses across the country.”

Fallout in the Agricultural and Hospitality Sectors

Jayapal also revealed that her recent roundtable in Spokane, Washington, included participants from the Growers League and local restaurant owners, many of whom shared fears of a labor collapse due to ICE enforcement.

“Farmers are terrified. Restaurant owners are seeing a drop in sales. Customers are afraid to come out. This isn’t just about undocumented immigrants. This is about economic security and the ability to operate small businesses without fear,” she said.

The Legal and Ethical Divide

Jayapal framed the issue as a constitutional crisis, claiming that ICE’s actions violate due process and civil liberties:

“We cannot allow masked, unidentified agents to disappear people on U.S. soil. That’s not how democracy works. The White House should apologize to the American people, not demand one from me.”

While the Biden administration has previously vowed to reform immigration enforcement practices, progressives argue that ICE has remained largely unchecked, especially in regions where coordination with local law enforcement enables broad detainment policies.

A Growing Rift Within the Democratic Party

Jayapal’s comments underscore the growing divide between progressive Democrats and the Biden administration’s immigration strategy, which critics say is increasingly designed to appear "tough on the border" amid the 2024 election climate.

Political analysts say this clash could signal broader resistance among progressive lawmakers who are pushing for a complete overhaul—or even abolishment—of ICE.

Final Thoughts

The incident highlights the fragile balance between national security and civil liberties in the ongoing debate over immigration reform. As the 2024 presidential campaign season heats up, expect tensions over ICE’s role to remain a lightning rod issue—not just between parties, but within them.

Jayapal’s call for accountability—and the White House’s strong rebuke—signal that the debate over immigration enforcement has only just begun.