Campa-Najjar Calls ICE ‘Cancer,’ Vows to Dismantle It in CA-48 Bid

Ammar Campa-Najjar, the Democratic frontrunner in the crowded primary for California’s newly redrawn 48th Congressional District, has made gutting federal immigration enforcement his signature issue, positioning himself as a far-left champion against ICE even as the agency continues to arrest hundreds of dangerous criminals in San Diego County.

The district, stretching from inland North County cities through parts of San Diego County and into Riverside County areas near the U.S.-Mexico border, has become a top Democratic target following redistricting efforts under Proposition 50. 

Incumbent Rep. Darrell Issa’s decision not to seek re-election has opened the seat, with Republicans coalescing behind San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond as a credible challenger.

Campa-Najjar, a Navy Reserve officer, former Obama administration official, and Palestinian-Mexican American, has repeatedly centered abolishing or overhauling ICE in his campaign. At a League of Women Voters forum, he likened the agency to a terminal illness: “The whole thing is full of cancer, it’s metastasized… we have to dismantle and create a new agency… we don’t need ICE anymore.”

In other statements, he has labeled ICE a “rogue agency” for carrying out deportations of illegal immigrants, denouncing its actions as “draconian measures.” Recently, he equated the agency with hate groups, stating, “I hope we can all stand united and call out all forms of hate… we have ICE in this community as well, training at a shooting range in our area.”

Video from a November 2025 candidate forum in San Diego captured Campa-Najjar declaring he would look at ICE and DHS and push to “pare it down, not pare it up,” arguing there is a “strong argument to be made that they’re doing a lot more than they should be doing.” He has reiterated plans to introduce legislation to dismantle ICE and replace it with a new agency under the Department of Justice focused on “humane” enforcement with “due process protections” and “zero tolerance for abuse.”

This stance echoes earlier reporting by the Globe’s Katy Grimes, who highlighted Campa-Najjar’s calls to weaken enforcement amid ongoing threats from criminal illegal immigrants. As the Globe previously noted, such positions come as ICE operations in San Diego target serious offenders.

Illegal immigrant crime remains a significant concern in the region. ICE agents in San Diego have arrested individuals for crimes including child rape, murder, drug trafficking, and MS-13 gang activity. Recent operations have netted convicted child sex predators and violent felons with multiple prior deportations.

Critics argue his agenda prioritizes ideology over public safety in a border-adjacent district where residents face real-world consequences from lax enforcement

RNC spokesman Nick Poche sharply criticized the candidate: “Ammar Campa-Najjar is an extremist who would gleefully put Southern Californians in danger to appease his deranged far-left base. Campa Najjar hates law enforcement and treats law-abiding citizens and immigrants like suckers while rewarding illegal immigrants for their criminal acts.”

Campa-Najjar has garnered endorsements from the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, BOLD PAC, and VoteVets, framing his positions as part of a broader push for immigration reform, Medicare for All, and other progressive priorities. He leads the Democratic field in some polling but trails Desmond overall in recent surveys ahead of the June 2 top-two primary.