Arkansas Senate nominee adjusts stance on ICE amid campaign

<p>Hallie Shoffner, the Democratic nominee for the Senate in Arkansas, has shifted her position on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Previously, she expressed support for defunding the agency, but has since stated her intention to reform it.</p><p>Shoffner, a farmer and political newcomer, is challenging incumbent Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican, in the upcoming November election. Cotton has criticized Shoffner for what he describes as a change in her stance on ICE, which has become a contentious issue in Congress.</p><p>During a June event at the Immigrant Heritage Month Business Expo in Springdale, Arkansas, Shoffner stated, "I would vote to defund ICE as it exists right now," citing concerns about the agency's budget and its role in law enforcement. She noted that ICE has a budget significantly larger than the agency that combats child sex trafficking.</p><p>ICE has been a focal point of political debate, particularly following incidents of violence and during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which involved disputes over funding for the agency. Earlier this year, Senate Republicans proposed $70 billion in funding for ICE and Border Patrol.</p><p>In response to Cotton's campaign ads that highlight her previous comments and her donations to Vice President Kamala Harris, Shoffner clarified her position in a Facebook post, stating, "I don’t want to defund ICE, I want to reform it." Cotton has accused her of aligning with what he terms "Democrat socialists" and suggested that defunding ICE would compromise public safety.</p><p>Shoffner's campaign faces challenges, as Arkansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2014. She has also distanced herself from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, expressing skepticism about national Democratic strategies regarding affordability.</p>