AUSTIN, TEXAS — The Democratic National Committee approved policy positions calling for both "concrete reforms" of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the abolition of the federal agency during a meeting on August 15, 2026. The votes are not binding and do not set the party platform, which the committee will determine at the 2028 convention.

Michele Johnson, a DNC member from Louisiana, proposed the measure to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She argued that the party must move beyond cautious rhetoric to establish clear stances. "I think one of the reasons why people are not trusting the party is because we sound so academic. We sound focus group tested, we sound poll tested because we’re worried about saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing and not just like, just stand on business, like take a position, Johnson said."

Yvonne Reeves-Chong voted against the measure to abolish the agency. She emphasized the need to prioritize electoral success to enact policy changes. I would strongly suggest we get to the business of winning races so we can make the policies that make a difference, Reeves-Chong said.

DNC Chairman Ken Martin stated that Democrats share a common goal regarding the agency's current operations despite differing on structural solutions. Clearly, the one thing that unites Democrats, regardless of their position on reform versus abolish or whatever other ways to change what’s happening, is people believe that what ICE is doing right now — and CBP and the federal government — should stop. There has to be a better way," Martin said."

The debate occurred as three people were killed in encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in July 2026. PureSource News previously reported that the agency halted pursuits after two fatal shootings. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that 39% of U.S. adults approve of President Donald Trump's performance on immigration. This figure represents a decrease from 49% at the beginning of his second term.

The internal discussion reflects broader shifts within the party's base. A Gallup poll found that 66% of Democrats viewed socialism favorably in September 2026, while favorability of capitalism among Democrats fell to 42%. The Democratic Socialists of America membership has grown to more than 120,000 from 8,500 a decade ago. More than 250 Democratic Socialists of America members and allies hold elected office in 40 states.