Mullin Reminds Us Why We Need ICE

Monday, June 15, 2026

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin urged stronger cooperation with ICE in California during a meeting with “Angel Parents,” citing cases where undocumented immigrants committed serious crimes after avoiding deportation due to state policies. His comments highlight the ongoing conflict between California’s sanctuary policies and federal efforts to enforce immigration laws as a strategy to enhance public safety.

Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin recently emphasized the necessity of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a meeting with members of the group known as “Angel Parents” in California. These individuals are parents who have lost family members to crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. The incidents cited by Mullin range from driving under the influence (DUI) offenses to violent acts such as drive-by shootings.

Mullin criticized California’s approach to immigration enforcement, calling it both “shameful” and “criminal” that the state continues to resist cooperating with ICE to detain and deport undocumented immigrants deemed dangerous. He pointed to a recent case in which an undocumented immigrant with multiple DUI convictions avoided deportation due to California’s policies. After release from jail, that individual was reportedly involved in a triple homicide, stabbing two women and a child to death.

The meeting and comments come amid ongoing debates over sanctuary policies in California, where state and local authorities often limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Mullin underscored the administration’s continued support for Angel Families, a group originally championed during former President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, signaling a sustained focus on immigration enforcement tied to public safety concerns.

Supporters of California’s policies argue they foster trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, promoting public safety and encouraging crime reporting. Critics like Mullin contend that these policies allow dangerous individuals to remain in the country, posing risks to citizens and undermining federal immigration laws.

The contrasting perspectives highlight the broader national debate over immigration policy enforcement, public safety, and state-federal relations. Mullin’s remarks underscore the administration’s position that stronger cooperation with ICE is necessary to prevent further tragedies attributed to crimes by undocumented immigrants.