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WASHINGTON—Representative Ron Estes (R-Kansas) voted for a resolution today to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). House Resolution 990, which passed 244 to 35, details the role ICE plays in protecting communities, enforcing immigration laws and curbing the opioid crisis.

“As member of the Homeland Security Committee, I believe law enforcement, including ICE officers, should have the support of all Americans for putting their lives on the line to protect our communities and enforce our laws,” said Rep. Ron Estes. “Last year alone, ICE officers kept gang members, criminal aliens and 980,000 lbs. of narcotics off our streets. Amidst dangerous and extreme calls to abolish ICE, I voted to show our support for ICE and our men and women in law enforcement.”

ICE was created in 2003 to better protect national security and public safety after 9/11 terrorists exploited immigration rules to enter the United States. In 2017, ICE officers arrested 12,000 people attempting to smuggle more than 980,000 lbs. of narcotics into the U.S., including fentanyl and heroin which are fueling the opioid crisis. Just one pound of fentanyl is enough to kill 150,000 people.

Last year, ICE also arrested 127,000 illegal aliens responsible for drug, assault, weapon, sexual assault, kidnapping and homicide offenses. More than 4,800 gang-related arrests were also made last year, including nearly 1,000 MS-13 members.

To read the resolution, click here.

Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas’ 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the House Committee on Homeland Security.