ICE Director Responds to Comparisons with “Slave Patrols”
Todd Lyons, the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), criticized Democrat Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett during an appearance on Fox News. This came after Crockett likened ICE to “slave patrols” in a radio interview she gave on Friday.
Speaking on The Will Cain Show, Lyons expressed his frustration, stating that such rhetoric endangers his officers. “I really dislike giving this any satisfaction, but this kind of talk endangers my agents and officers every day,” he told Cain. “We’ve seen a significant rise in attacks, and we’ve even had to draw our weapons because our people are in danger.” He also noted that threats against law enforcement have notably increased.
Lyons reminded everyone that the roots of American policing span centuries and extend beyond the comparison Crockett made. “Policing didn’t start with slave patrols. The U.S. Marshals were established in 1789, long before that narrative,” he remarked. “In fact, policing traces back to ancient Greece.” He argued that history doesn’t support the narrative that connects ICE to such a damaging comparison.
Furthermore, he dismissed the comparison often drawn between ICE agents and Nazis as being misleading and harmful. “It’s not only inappropriate but very damaging to suggest that,” he said. “This rhetoric leads to real-world consequences, as we’ve seen in various unfortunate events recently.” Lyons expressed concern about how easily these labels are thrown around, impacting the perception and safety of those working in law enforcement.
Crockett had also stated earlier that “it’s not a crime to enter the country illegally,” a stance that sparked further discussion about immigration policies. Meanwhile, legal challenges to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions are ongoing, including a recent Supreme Court decision allowing the administration to lift previous restrictions in Los Angeles.
ICE is continuing operations in several states, including Massachusetts and Chicago, after major crackdowns in areas like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
