Stephen Miller Collaborates with Senate Republicans to Counter Democratic ICE Restrictions
Stephen Miller, a key White House official, is reportedly "working closely" with President Donald Trump's allies in the Senate to resist Democratic attempts to rein in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to a new report, this coordination comes as Republicans believe immigration remains one of Trump's most salient political issues, and conceding ground to Democrats would be a strategic error.
Republicans Launch Offensive on Immigration Policy
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham declared, "We're now going on offense," in an interview with The Hill. He highlighted President Trump's decision to send border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to de-escalate tensions, calling it a good move. However, Graham emphasized that abandoning Trump's campaign promises on immigration is not an option. He announced that the Senate will vote next week on his proposal to impose criminal penalties on local and state officials who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration agents, noting that Stephen Miller helped orchestrate this plan with him.
Miller, Trump's 40-year-old deputy chief of staff, is one of the most influential figures in the White House, having masterminded much of the administration's immigration agenda, including policies like deporting immigrants to a prison in El Salvador. A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent regarding Miller's involvement.
Critical Juncture with Homeland Security Funding Deadline
The Republican push to reclaim the narrative on immigration occurs at a pivotal moment, as funding for the Department of Homeland Security is set to expire on Friday. Many Democrats appear prepared to shut down the agency unless several reforms are enacted. Last week, Democrats in Congress sent a letter to their GOP counterparts outlining demands, such as requiring all immigration agents to wear body cameras and IDs, and prohibiting them from wearing masks.
In response, GOP lawmakers presented a counterproposal on Monday and are awaiting a Democratic reply. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, stated that negotiators are making "progress" on a funding deal.
GOP Senators Advocate for Stricter Immigration Measures
Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt is among the Republicans taking an aggressive stance, pushing for a reform package that would increase penalties on immigrants who enter the country illegally. He argued that Democrats underestimated Republican resolve, claiming their proposals would effectively kneecap ICE's ability to function and create de facto amnesty for 15 to 20 million undocumented individuals. "We're not doing that," Schmitt asserted.
Democrats Intensify Scrutiny on ICE Enforcement
While Republicans aim to retake control of the immigration debate, Trump's enforcement crackdown faces growing scrutiny from lawmakers and the public. During an oversight hearing on Tuesday, Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee grilled the heads of ICE, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. They focused on recent enforcement operations in Minnesota that resulted in the deaths of two people, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Representative Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat, described the hearing as "just the start of a reckoning of the Trump administration and its weaponization of DHS against American citizens," adding that "DHS must be held accountable." Representative LaMonica McIver, a New Jersey Democrat, used more fiery rhetoric, questioning ICE's acting director, Todd Lyons, about whether he believes he is "going to hell."
Public Opinion and Polling on ICE Tactics
Recent polling indicates widespread public concern over the administration's immigration enforcement actions. A February Quinnipiac University survey found that 63% of Americans disapprove of how ICE is enforcing immigration laws, with only 34% approving. Similarly, a January Siena College poll revealed that 61% of Americans believe ICE's tactics have gone too far, highlighting the contentious nature of the ongoing debate.
