Homeland Secretary Mayorkas to take on sanctuary cities, says he won't 'abolish' ICE

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says he's opposed to abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is vowing to deal with so-called sanctuary cities that do not work with ICE.

Mayorkas made these comments last week during a virtual town hall forum with ICE employees, according to The Washington Times.

Sanctuary city laws in cities and other such municipalities across the country effectively protect some illegal immigrants from deportation and prosecution, despite federal immigration law.

Mayorkas said last week that as an Obama administration official he'd ask sanctuary city leaders: " 'Are you going to work with us?' ... And sometimes it was no, and I’ve got to figure out how to tackle the nos."

He also said opposes the public calls to abolishICE.

"I'm 100% opposed to the abolition of ICE," he said. "It is the opposite of what I think needs to occur. I think we need to strengthen our policies and practices and communicate more effectively what we do and why we do it."

He also said he believes more illegal immigrants should be prosecuted criminally.

"I see cases now where we apprehend and remove individuals that I think need to be prosecuted criminally," he said.