Article snippet: Abolishing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is fast becoming a litmus test for Democrats after Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s shock victory in a Democratic primary. Sen. on Thursday became the first senator to call for the scrapping of ICE, arguing that it has become “a deportation force.” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) followed suit on Friday, saying, “We should abolish ICE.” And on Saturday, Sen. MORE (D), who like Gillibrand is seen as a potential 2020 candidate, earlier in the week called on her party to “critically re-examine ICE” and even to “think about starting from scratch.” Sen. MORE and “work on a national program which deals with this serious issue.” The calls to abolish ICE among Democrats picked up after the 28-year-old Ocasio-Cortez defeated Rep. Joseph Crowley (N.Y.) in an upset few saw coming. Ocasio-Cortez has called for abolishing ICE, and her victory over a member of House Democratic leadership reverberated throughout the party, highlighting the issue’s importance on the left. ICE has come under increased criticism amid headlines about children separated from their parents at the border, a policy of Trump’s that he moved to end last week. ICE also has been faulted for arresting immigrants in the country illegally at courthouses and conducting aggressive raids of businesses, such as 7-Eleven stores, meatpacking plants and landscaping companies. But while calls to abolish ICE are popular with liberals, it could also be a ris... Link to the full article to read more