Former U.S. President Barack Obama points as he speaks during a campaign rally held by Democratic candidate for New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., November 1, 2025. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
(New York, New York) – A heated exchange on CNN this week reignited debate over immigration enforcement after a CNN anchor said Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids are inherently controversial.
“ICE raids are controversial, always have been, always will be,” said Abby Phillip during the discussion.
Conservative commentator Ben Ferguson pushed back, arguing that similar enforcement actions drew far less criticism under Democratic administrations. “Not really,” Ferguson responded. “When Obama was doing them it wasn’t controversial. You guys did ride-alongs.”
The moment quickly circulated online, with critics accusing media outlets of applying double standards to immigration enforcement depending on who is in power, while others defended CNN’s framing as reflective of long-standing public opposition to ICE operations.
