WASHINGTON — During an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) continued his onslaught against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), calling for its fundamental dismantling, claiming the agency itself has created the current “hostile” environment. Gallego went on to blame ICE’s structure and leadership for what he described as a breakdown in its mission and public trust, following recent clashes with protesters during operations.

“I think ICE needs to be totally torn down – it has to be created in the image of what people want,” Gallego said during the interview. He argued that the agency has strayed from its original purpose.

Gallego went on to frame this position as aligned with voter sentiment, even in Arizona.

“We want a security force that is focused on targeting and deporting criminals,” he said. “What they are doing right now is none of that.”

However, the senator’s characterization of ICE’s lack of focus contrasts with recent DHS enforcement data. In a December 2025 announcement, ICE reported more than 605,000 arrests nationwide during the prior year, with approximately 70 percent involving individuals who had been charged or convicted of crimes in the United States. DHS said those arrests included individuals convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child, forcible rape, strangulation, and other violent offenses, describing the operations as targeting the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens.

Contrary to Gallego’s comments, DHS enforcement data continues to underscore its effectiveness, most notably through arrest totals, criminal classifications, and removals. That disconnect leaves questions about whether Gallego’s critique targets enforcement outcomes, operational tactics, or the agency’s existence itself.

Gallego’s remarks place him closer to national Democrats who have advocated sweeping structural changes to ICE, though when pressed, he backed down from claiming a position of pursuing complete abolition. The DHS release emphasized that criminal enforcement remains a central function of ICE operations, particularly the removal of violent offenders with crimes against children.

Gallego failed to outline specific legislative proposals, leaving questions on how a rebuilt ICE would function operationally, how it would be funded, and what enforcement authority would ultimately remain.