A movement frame that emerged in 2017-2018 positioning Immigration and Customs Enforcement as an inherently abusive federal agency that should be dismantled rather than reformed. The narrative gained significant traction in Democratic primary politics and progressive organizing.

Narrative Origins

2017-2018: Grassroots Emergence The narrative emerged from immigrant rights activists and grassroots organizers responding to increased ICE enforcement under the Trump administration. Initial framing focused on ICE’s role in family separations and raids in sanctuary cities.

2018 Congressional Primaries: Political Mainstreaming Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s upset primary victory while advocating ICE abolition brought the frame into mainstream Democratic discourse. Other progressive candidates adopted similar language throughout 2018.

Core Framing Structure

The narrative structures interpretation through several key frames:

Institutional Abolition: Frames ICE as an agency whose core functions are inherently harmful and cannot be reformed, requiring complete dismantling.

Family Destruction: Emphasizes ICE’s role in separating families, particularly children from parents, as evidence of systemic cruelty.

Constitutional Overreach: Positions ICE enforcement as violating due process rights and operating beyond constitutional constraints.

Historical Analogy: Compares ICE to historically abolished institutions like slavery or segregation to justify complete elimination rather than reform.

Digital Evolution and Impact

Twitter Campaigns: Hashtag campaigns like #AbolishICE and #NoJusticeNoICE mobilized progressive activists and amplified personal stories of ICE enforcement.

Progressive Media: Digital-first outlets like The Intercept, Democracy Now, and progressive YouTube channels provided platforms for abolition advocates.

Primary Politics Integration: The frame became a litmus test in 2018-2020 Democratic primaries, with candidates pressured to take positions on ICE’s existence.

TikTok Organizing: Younger activists used TikTok to share ICE raid warnings, family separation stories, and abolition messaging.

Targets and Applications

Federal Immigration Apparatus: Targets ICE specifically but extends to broader immigration enforcement infrastructure including Border Patrol and detention facilities.

Democratic Party Moderates: Applied pressure on centrist Democrats to adopt more progressive immigration positions beyond pathway to citizenship.

Local Law Enforcement: Extended to criticism of local police cooperation with ICE through programs like 287(g) and Secure Communities.

Political and Electoral Impact

Primary Campaign Influence: Forced Democratic candidates to articulate positions on ICE’s existence, moving party discourse leftward on immigration enforcement.

Policy Proposal Development: Led to specific legislative proposals for ICE abolition and immigration enforcement restructuring from progressive Congress members.

Resistance Movement Integration: Became central organizing principle for anti-Trump immigration activism, connecting local sanctuary city efforts to federal policy demands.

Mainstream Media Coverage: Generated extensive debate in traditional media about the practicality and politics of immigration enforcement abolition.

Contemporary Usage

The narrative continues to influence immigration discourse through:

• Progressive advocacy for immigration enforcement restructuring under Biden administration
• Local organizing against ICE detention facilities and enforcement partnerships
• Democratic primary politics as progressive candidates invoke abolition language
• Counter-mobilization by immigration enforcement supporters framing abolition as radical extremism