# Border Dem poised to wield ICE purse strings rejects socialist ‘defund’ push

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/border-dem-poised-to-wield-ice-purse-strings-rejects-socialist-defund-push/
- Published: 2026-11-09T09:00:24+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T09:39:28+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/border-dem-poised-wield-ice-purse-strings-rejects-socialist-defund-push
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Henry Cuellar rejects calls to defund ICE.
- He is poised to gain influence over the agency’s funding.
- He supports border enforcement alongside stronger oversight.

## Summary

Representative Henry Cuellar says he opposes calls from some progressive Democrats to abolish or defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arguing the agency will remain in place. His position matters because he is expected to chair a House subcommittee with significant influence over ICE funding, while Democrats debate border enforcement and the agency’s oversight.

Cuellar, a Texas Democrat whose district includes Laredo, supports strong border policies but says ICE needs safeguards and greater oversight. He has backed some funding for the agency while opposing a separate $70 billion enforcement package over oversight concerns, and he has criticised arrests of people without criminal records. He also urged Democrats not to return to the Biden administration’s asylum approach; the article says Texas requires most county sheriffs to seek agreements enabling local assistance with immigration enforcement.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.