Nationwide — Jasmine Crockett, Democratic Senate candidate and Congresswoman, is facing backlash after comparing ICE agents to slave patrols, saying recent agency operations reflect racial oppression. She defended her remarks, noting her perspective comes from her experiences as an African American woman.
Crockett told CBS News, “When I talk about the fact that what I see from ICE right now looks like slave patrols. As an African American woman, what I am doing is I’m framing things in the frame of thought that I can associate them with.”
She said ICE actions reminded her of slave patrols, which were “some sort of military-like policing force that was going out and grabbing and disappearing people based on their skin color. People were having to walk around and show their papers.” Crockett argued her comparison reflects historical realities and is not meant to exaggerate.
Senator John Cornyn criticized Crockett’s remarks as “completely unacceptable,” warning that attacks on law enforcement, including ICE, undermine officers enforcing laws passed by Congress. He said compliance with officers’ instructions is critical, referencing the Minneapolis incident that prompted her comments.
The controversy escalated during a debate with State Representative James Talarico, where Crockett compared ICE’s door-to-door operations to Nazi tactics. Talarico also criticized ICE, calling for reforms and a focus on public safety rather than aggressive enforcement tactics.
Crockett’s remarks follow a history of controversial statements, including a 2024 Vanity Fair article where she used the term “slave mentality” to describe some Latino perspectives on immigration. She clarified that her point was about shared struggles between African American and Latino communities and criticized attempts to take her words out of context.
Critics say Crockett’s comparisons are extreme, while supporters argue she is highlighting historical and racial patterns in law enforcement. The debate adds to growing scrutiny of ICE practices as she campaigns for the Senate.