In response to the “Abolish ICE” movement and the broadening immigration predicament, the National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE) was recently launched to bolster interior immigration enforcement. Led by President R.J. Hauman, an expert with over a decade of experience in immigration enforcement, the nonprofit emerges when the call for effective and lawful immigration control has never been more urgent.
NICE’s goal is to advocate for the proper enforcement of immigration laws, a practice deemed crucial to national security, public safety, and the rule of law. The organization states, “Our borders are wide open, and the entire world knows it.” This assertion highlights their concern over the Biden administration’s approach to immigration policy, which they argue is a direct violation of immigration laws.
The National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE) launched today to advocate for the proper enforcement of immigration laws in the interior of the United States – a practice that is critical to national security, public safety, and the rule of law.https://t.co/xkcORWkXH9
— National Immigration Center for Enforcement (@NICEnforcement) June 5, 2023
Joseph Edlow, a former acting U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director, and a NICE advisory board member emphasizes that border security alone is not enough. He said, “While border security is critical, we can no longer afford to ignore larger immigration enforcement issues.”
Under the current administration, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced a shift in immigration enforcement policy, stating, “For the first time ever, our policy explicitly states that a non-citizen’s unlawful presence in the United States will not, by itself, be a basis for the initiation of an enforcement action.” NICE believes this policy change is a disregard for the rule of law and has led to a notable increase in illegal crossings.
NICE’s agenda aims to counter this, advocating for the enforcement of immigration laws and insisting on accountability for those who infringe them. The organization supports ending ‘catch-and-release’ policies, opposing so-called sanctuary city policies, and requiring employers to use E-Verify, among other enforcement strategies.
Republicans target Mayorkas for contempt and impeachment over terrorists crossing border https://t.co/8zKV3O56da
— National Immigration Center for Enforcement (@NICEnforcement) June 6, 2023
The group’s advisory board is packed with experience, featuring several former DHS officials such as Edlow, retired ICE Field Office Director John Fabbricatore, former DHS Office of General Counsel official Mike Howell, and Chris Russo, president of Texans for Strong Borders. This solid team brings a wealth of experience to the table, lending credibility to their mission.
Fabbricatore echoes the sentiments of NICE, urging for robust action, stating, “With what is happening at the border and gutting of enforcement in the interior of the country, it is time to strengthen our resolve and enforce the law as it is written.” He further adds that the citizens of this country deserve it and that lingering excuses for inaction are no longer acceptable.
With illegal immigration continuing to be a hot-button issue and the border crisis in its third year under the Biden administration, the demand for organizations such as NICE is undoubtedly high. As we approach the 2024 presidential campaign, the issues of border security and interior immigration enforcement will be at the forefront of political debates, reinforcing the need for groups like NICE to champion the rule of law in immigration.
