Politicians Accused of 'Demonizing' ICE, Ignoring Illegal Immigrant Crime Victims

Washington Examiner columnist Guy Benson says some Democratic politicians are offering 'sickening' silence to families of victims killed by illegal immigrants.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Washington Examiner senior columnist Guy Benson criticized some Democratic politicians for 'demonizing' Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while remaining silent on crimes committed by illegal immigrants, including the recent death of a Georgia teacher killed by an illegal immigrant fleeing arrest.

Why it matters

Benson's comments highlight the ongoing political debate over immigration enforcement and the treatment of illegal immigrant criminals versus American victims of their crimes. The issue of illegal immigrant crime has been a flashpoint, with the Trump administration and some conservatives arguing that Democrats are too lenient, while many Democrats have accused ICE and other agencies of overzealous tactics.

The details

Benson cited the case of Linda Davis, a teacher in Savannah, Georgia, who was killed on February 16 when an illegal immigrant struck her vehicle while fleeing arrest. He said Davis is the latest victim of illegal immigrant crime, an issue that President Trump spotlighted during the 2024 campaign. Benson accused some Democratic politicians of offering 'sickening' silence to the families of victims like Davis, while being quick to 'posture against federal law enforcement' when it comes to illegal immigrants.

  • Linda Davis was killed on February 16, 2026.

The players

Guy Benson

A senior columnist for the Washington Examiner who criticized Democratic politicians for their silence on crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

Linda Davis

A teacher at Hesse K-8 school in Savannah, Georgia, who was killed on February 16, 2026 when an illegal immigrant struck her vehicle while fleeing arrest.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia

An illegal immigrant who Benson said is 'celebrated in some quarters' of the Democratic Party, in contrast to the 'extremely inconvenient' illegal immigrant crime victims.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There is more empathy for the so-called victims of ICE who are here illegally, many of them with a criminal record, than there are for the American victims of these crimes.”

— Guy Benson, Washington Examiner senior columnist (Fox News)

“It is completely inverted morally, it is sickening, actually, and I think it underscores the debate that we're having in this country.”

— Guy Benson, Washington Examiner senior columnist (Fox News)

What’s next

The case of Linda Davis' death is likely to continue being a point of debate between conservatives and liberals over immigration enforcement and the treatment of illegal immigrant criminals.

The takeaway

This story highlights the ongoing political divide over immigration policy, with conservatives arguing that Democrats are too lenient on illegal immigrants who commit crimes, while many Democrats accuse immigration enforcement agencies of overzealous tactics. The death of Linda Davis is likely to become a flashpoint in this debate.