Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut leveled sharp accusations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a televised exchange with Fox News anchor Shannon Bream, asserting that ICE is detaining large numbers of individuals without criminal records and engaging in what he described as unconstitutional conduct.
The exchange focused on enforcement tactics and recent operations in Minnesota, where Murphy claimed ICE actions have gone far beyond targeting dangerous offenders.
Bream questioned the senator’s characterization by pointing to alternative enforcement approaches.
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“We think they’re removable, let one agent go into the jail, versus what we’re seeing on the streets of Minneapolis,” Bream said.
Murphy rejected the premise that ICE is primarily pursuing criminals.
“I mean, come on, we’re still pretending that ICE is going after dangerous people. They aren’t right,” Murphy said.
“Right now, 70% of the people that they are detaining have absolutely no criminal record.”
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Bream countered by citing figures from the Department of Homeland Security that conflict with Murphy’s claim.
“The DHS says 70% of those they’re arresting, and that’s their number, do have some kind of criminal record,” she said.
Murphy escalated his criticism by describing ICE operations in Minnesota as extreme and unlawful.
“What is happening in Minnesota right now is a dystopia,” Murphy said.
He accused ICE of actions that federal officials have not acknowledged. “ICE is tear gassing elementary schools. It is disappearing legal residents into cars. It is murdering American citizens.”
He continued by arguing that ICE enforcement has made the country less safe.
“ICE is making this country less safe, not more safe,” Murphy said.
“Today, that is an emergency.”
Murphy also claimed broad public opposition to ICE’s methods and framed the issue as a constitutional crisis.
“That is why today, 60% of the American people vehemently disagree with what ICE is doing, and we have to address that emergency right now,” he said.
“The constitution is being abandoned by this administration right now as we speak.”
According to Murphy, Congress must act quickly to rein in the agency.
“Our focus over the next two weeks has to be reining in a lawless and immoral immigration agency in this nation,” he said.
“That’s work that we have to do in the next two weeks. Hopefully it’s work that Republicans and Democrats will be able to agree on.”
WATCH:
The remarks come amid heightened national debate over immigration enforcement, particularly following high-profile ICE operations in major cities.
Supporters of ICE have argued that the agency is carrying out its statutory mandate to enforce immigration law and protect public safety, while critics have accused it of overreach.
Bream’s questioning reflected that divide, pressing Murphy on discrepancies between his claims and DHS data.
Murphy’s call for bipartisan action over a two-week window signals renewed efforts by Democrats to pursue changes to ICE policy and oversight.
Whether those proposals gain traction remains uncertain, as Republicans have largely resisted efforts to curtail ICE operations, arguing that such moves would weaken immigration enforcement.
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