Sen. Mark Warner: 'Biden Screwed Up the Border' — Warns ICE Is Detaining Many Without Criminal Records

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) on Monday conceded that the Biden administration "screwed up" at the southern border, while sharply criticizing recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics that he says are detaining large numbers of people who have no other criminal record.

Speaking on Fox News' Special Report, Warner was asked whether he supported newly elected Rep. Abigail Spanberger’s decision to halt state law-enforcement cooperation with ICE in efforts to apprehend undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions. Warner cited data indicating that roughly 75% of those arrested by ICE in Virginia had no additional criminal record.

Sen. Mark Warner said that the Biden administration "screwed up" when it comes to securing the southern border while also criticizing the Trump administration for arresting mostly migrants who have no criminal record.

"They may have come across illegally into our country, but 75% of the people to have been arrested have no further criminal record," Warner said. "Let's potentially work on those who have criminal records. But that is different than what's happening right now... the idea of masked ICE agents picking up moms dropping off their kids, folks going to work — sometimes kids are being left in the car after their parents... that may or may not have been actually criminals are being picked up."

Calls For Better Local-Federal Collaboration

Warner urged a more collaborative approach between federal immigration agents and local law enforcement, arguing that aggressive federal tactics have reduced cooperation. "So far, at least based upon what I've seen in Minnesota, there is virtually no collaboration between local law enforcement and ICE, and I believe that is due to the ICE tactics," he said. Warner added that local police are generally effective at pursuing actual criminals and should work with federal agents to focus on those with convictions.

Context: Minneapolis Shooting And Public Outcry

Warner’s remarks come amid protests after a high-profile Minneapolis incident in which Renee Nicole Good, identified as a U.S. citizen, was fatally shot during an encounter with an ICE agent. According to reports cited in news coverage, the agent fired into the vehicle and later used profanity after the crash. The killing prompted calls for prosecution from Democrats and local activists, while some federal and Republican officials defended the agent’s response as justified in the moment.

People march during a protest after the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

About a week later, another enforcement encounter resulted in an ICE agent shooting an alleged undocumented suspect in the leg; the Department of Homeland Security said the agent fired after the individual resisted arrest and "violently assaulted the officer."

Numbers And Concerns

Warner referenced reporting that there are thousands of ICE agents deployed to some areas — citing an estimate of about 3,500 ICE personnel in Minneapolis compared with roughly 800 local police officers — and warned that such a disparity, combined with aggressive tactics, undermines trust and cooperation.

He described specific incidents — including ICE agents waiting outside courthouses and detaining people who show up for hearings or to seek legal status — as examples of a system he believes needs reform. "When somebody comes to do their hearing... and they get picked up because they did the right thing in reporting in, I'm not sure that's the system we ought to be having at this point," Warner said.

Looking Ahead

Warner emphasized the need to focus enforcement on individuals with criminal records and to rebuild collaboration between federal and local authorities. He acknowledged the political sensitivity of the issue — criticizing the administration for border missteps while also calling for targeted, humane, and lawful immigration enforcement.