Michigan Democrat Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed Wants to Abolish ICE and Blames White People for His Struggles Playing Lacrosse in College (VIDEOS)

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has made the abolition of ICE a centerpiece of his campaign, blaming the agency for what he calls "institutionalized cruelty" in the immigration enforcement system and positioning himself as the most progressive candidate in a crowded Democratic primary field.

El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit health director, argues that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has become an instrument of family separation and community destabilization, particularly in Michigan's large Arab American and immigrant communities. His proposal would replace ICE with a reformed immigration enforcement structure focused on due process and community safety.

The position puts him to the left of the Democratic establishment, which has generally favored ICE reform rather than abolition. Primary opponents have criticized the stance as unrealistic and politically damaging in a general election where moderate and independent voters may view abolishing a federal law enforcement agency as extreme.

Michigan's Senate race is one of the most watched in the country, with the outcome potentially determining control of the chamber. El-Sayed's campaign tests whether unapologetically progressive positions can win in a swing state — or whether they alienate the centrist voters who decide statewide races.

What This Means For You: Immigration policy affects your community regardless of where you live. Whether ICE is reformed, abolished, or expanded, the outcome shapes labor markets, housing costs, school enrollment, and local government budgets. If you're in Michigan, your vote directly determines which direction this goes. If you're elsewhere, watch Michigan — it's a bellwether for how far the Democratic Party is willing to go on immigration reform.