Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, says Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not going anywhere, even as “Abolish ICE” became a rallying cry for more than a dozen progressive Democrats elected or reelected in the midterms. Cuellar, whose district includes Laredo, is the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. He is poised to become its chairman, which would give him significant influence over ICE funding.

Cuellar told Fox News Digital that the new class of Democratic Socialists of America members is only one part of his party’s spectrum. He opposes defunding ICE, warns Democrats against returning to Biden-era border policies, and says he wants to work with President Donald Trump and Republicans over the next two years.

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From Fox News:

“I don’t believe in defunding ICE and I think the majority of the Democrats do not believe defunding ICE, but there are serious rail guards we need put on ICE,” Cuellar said.

“We just can’t open up the border and just say anybody that wants to claim asylum can come to the borders. That policy under Biden administration — I hope that every Democrat running for national office doesn’t do that anymore,” Cuellar said.

“There are Democrats who are willing to work with the administration, with President Trump, but it takes two to have a deal,” Cuellar said.

Cuellar has broken with his party before. In January he voted with Republicans for a DHS funding bill that included billions for ICE. He later opposed a $70 billion Republican-backed enforcement package over oversight concerns. He has also criticized ICE for pursuing immigrants without criminal records, though federal law allows arrests for civil immigration violations, and he attributes the blue wave in Texas to Trump’s enforcement tactics. He agreed with former Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz that the Biden administration failed to secure the border.

The “Abolish ICE” push gained force amid large operations in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Chicago and New Orleans. The White House says they produced more than 1.3 million arrests and 1.2 million illegal immigrants deported or leaving the country. Critics have objected to the agency’s tactics, and two American citizens were fatally shot by ICE agents in Minnesota in January 2026. Democratic governors in six states have since signed laws limiting cooperation with federal officials, while Texas now requires most sheriffs to seek 287(g) agreements with ICE.

Texas Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa, a Democrat, has criticized ICE tactics and Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star. She has not called for ending all cooperation with ICE. Cuellar said he has not heard her support defunding, though he did not speak for her. CBP Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham said in a statement that the administration will partner with any official dedicated to securing the border. The source includes no comment from Hinojosa or the progressive members.

Nehemiah 4:9 says, “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” Nehemiah did not choose between prayer and a watch on the walls. He did both. Pray that Cuellar would hold to his stated position and that Democrats and Republicans would work together to fund border security. Pray for ICE and Border Patrol officers, that they would be protected and act justly, and for lawful oversight that keeps enforcement fair. Pray for Gov.-elect Hinojosa and Gov. Abbott to cooperate with federal partners, and for churches to show compassion to immigrants while upholding the law.

How are you praying about this issue? Share your prayers and scriptures in the comments below.

(Excerpt from Fox News. Photo Credit: davelogan from Getty Images Signature via Canva).