Americans Disapprove of ICE? They Fund It Anyway.
According to The Hill, a new survey reveals widespread disapproval of how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates. This public sentiment, however, rarely translates into legislative action. In fiscal year 2023, for instance, Congress allocated over $8.5 billion to ICE. This funding continued despite numerous public reports and human rights criticisms detailing conditions in detention
centers and aggressive enforcement tactics, often against vulnerable populations. One might wonder: if majorities disapprove, whose interests are Congress truly serving? Perhaps it’s less about public opinion and more about the bipartisan consensus that ensures agencies like ICE, CBP, and the defense budget receive ever-increasing appropriations, year after year. The 'will of the people' seems to
be a mere suggestion on Capitol Hill, while the 'will of the budget' is an unbreakable command.