Lawmakers Discuss ICE Tactics in Enforcement Actions

Some Democratic members of Congress have decried ICE's methods as needlessly aggressive, while Republican lawmakers like Sen. Kevin Cramer say the issue lies with people deliberately resisting ICE efforts and deliberately fomenting dissent.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – “I’m very comfortable with the way they carry out their actions – the perception part is a bit of a problem,” said Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota.

Cramer was candid when asked about the way Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has been conducting itself as of late, especially following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis.

He believes the greater issue is the response from critics of the Trump administration.

“To fan the flames, to not comply with ICE officers as they’re doing their jobs, rather to interfere – which makes the job of the officers much, much more difficult and it doesn’t help local cops either,” he said. “I’m uncomfortable with all that escalation.”

A CNN poll found that 56% of respondents believed that shooting was not an appropriate use of force.

In Minnesota, school walkouts swept the state, while protesters continue to march near the capitol in St. Paul.

Democratic lawmakers have not held back when describing their views on ICE involvement at the state level.

“They’ve deployed federal forces not to protect communities – unfortunately, to terrorize them. It’s an attack on individual freedoms and rights,” said Rep. Troy Carter of Louisiana.

Cramer conceded that ICE agents are not always readily identifiable and could help to ease tension and confusion by displaying an obvious form of identification at all times.

However, he maintains they’re only doing what’s necessary to keep the country safe; and, despite outcry from leaders in Minnesota, Cramer believes that the federal government’s decision to take sole responsibility for the investigation into the shooting of Good was the right move.

“I think it’s probably in the best interests of this officer, if they’re going to get true justice, to have the investigation done by the federal government,” he said.

Senator John Hoeven was not available for an on-camera interview, but he did give us a written statement, which reads, in part: “We need to enforce our immigration laws, and while individuals have a right to protest, they must do so safely, lawfully and without interfering in law enforcement operations.”