By Rev. Stacy Swimp
The call to “Abolish ICE”—the federal agency known as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement—is often dismissed as a radical demand for disorder, but for those who recognize the moral arc of the universe, it is a necessary response to a legacy of weaponized law enforcement. Established in 2003, ICE has increasingly functioned as a paramilitary force that bypasses the judicial norms expected of American police. While we speak of foundational principles, we must confess these ideals have frequently been betrayed.
A nation built upon the systemic denial of Black humanity suffers from a deep-seated “groupthink”—a spiritual blindness regarding who is entitled to divine protection and who is subject to state violence. This hypocrisy targets our Black and Brown brothers and sisters—including African and Caribbean immigrants—applying an enforcement culture that defies the biblical command to love the sojourner as yourself (Leviticus 19:33-34). As the patriarch of the family and a voice for the Igbo perspective, I see how this disregard for life tears at the very fabric of our community.
The terminal dangers of an agency operating without judicial oversight have been laid bare by the recent bloodletting in Minneapolis. On Jan. 7, 2026, Renee Good—a widow and teacher—was gunned down in her vehicle by a masked ICE agent. Barely two weeks later, federal agents killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Pretti, a servant who spent his career caring for veterans, was acting as a peaceful observer when he was tackled and shot in the back while pinned to the ground.
In the wake of these tragedies, we have witnessed a shameful display of government deception and backpedaling. Officials initially branded these victims as “domestic terrorists,” attempting to smear their characters to justify state-sponsored homicide. When undeniable video evidence emerged showing Pretti was shot in the back, the administration pivoted, making light of the loss by calling it a “protocol” issue while continuing to obstruct state investigators.
From an industrial-organizational (I/O) psychological perspective, this behavior is a textbook example of organizational narcissism and a lack of psychological safety. When an organization’s culture is rooted in absolute authority without external accountability, it develops a “fortress mentality” where the preservation of the agency’s image is prioritized over human life or truth. This leads to “moral decoupling,” where agents separate their professional actions from their personal moral compasses, justified by a toxic organizational identity.
Scripture warns that a house divided cannot stand. A system that bypasses constitutional protections inevitably targets the “other,” eroding justice for all. Peer-reviewed research confirms that punitive enforcement creates a “chilling effect,” fostering deep distrust in legal authorities.
A practical, redemptive solution involves transferring Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to the FBI. The FBI is a legacy agency bound by established judicial protocols and warrant requirements that ICE historically bypasses. Moving these investigators to the Bureau forces federal power back into a framework of transparency and probable cause. This ensures the “sword” of the state is used only for its rightful purpose: pursuing genuine threats like human trafficking, rather than executing nurses in the street.
Abolishing ICE is an act of constitutional restoration. It removes the temptation of a paramilitary force and subjects all federal action to the scrutiny of the courts, respecting the dignity of all as children of God.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.