STEVE DOOCY (HOST): The left leaning publication The Nation making a bold statement by publishing this headline a couple of days ago: “It's time to abolish ICE.” MSNBC host Chris Hayes tweeting out the article writing, “This is a growing position on the left and I imagine 2020 Democratic presidential aspirants will have to grapple with it.” So is this really what Democrats should run on in 2020? Here with a little debate we've got Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright. He's to the left of your screen, appropriately. And the chairman of the American Conservative Union CPAC Matt Schlapp joins us. Good morning, guys. Thanks for joining us today. 

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DOOCY: Antjuan, you're first. You don't think it's a good idea to get rid of ICE, do you? 

ANTJUAN SEAWRIGHT: Well, I think it's very funny that people are making assumptions about what Democrats are going to talk about in 2020 when I think that's just absolutely insane. The Democrats I know are so laser focused on what's going on in 2018 and what's going on right now. The issue at hand right now for most Democrats is how do we fix a very broken immigration system in this country in totality? So what Democrats I know want to do is they want to do what 70 percent of the American people want. They want a long-term comprehensive immigration reform package that will deal with DACA that will protect Dreamers and that will not be a patchwork job and also protecting our borders. 

DOOCY: Of course, Matt Schlapp you think it would be great if the Democrats adopted “Let's get rid of ICE” and continue with the sanctuary city line going into 2020. 

MATT SCHLAPP: Yeah, from the nation's pen to God's ears. I think this would be great if the Democrats would actually -- I guess I shouldn't say God's ears, but maybe the head of the DNC's ears. I think it would be great if the Democrats would run on this. I think it's honest. I have to give them credit for being honest. They believe in sanctuary cities. They don't want to fix the immigration system. They want to give amnesty to absolutely everybody who's here illegally. 

SEAWRIGHT: That's ridiculous Matt and you know it. 

SCLAPP: Well, no, I think, let's be honest. I think where Democrats are in their policy is that they want to give amnesty to as many people as possible. It's not just about the DACA population. And I actually think when you have sanctuary cities all across this country, how come people like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer aren't calling these mayors out and saying let's enforce our laws? The fact is they want a sanctuary nation and it's great politics for the Republicans but it's terrible for the country. 

DOOCY: Antjuan, it was just a week ago that the deadline that the president imposed of six months, go ahead Congress, get something done on DACA, it passed. And the Democratic leaders in the House and the Senate, they were missing in action on this thing. 

SEARIGHT: Well, that's almost not true. In fact --

DOOCY: Which part is not true? 

SEAWRIGHT: Well, my memory, if my memory serves me correctly, it was several bipartisan proposals per the president's request that came to him and he rejected both of them. Also, keep in mind, that this Congress both the House and the Senate is controlled by Republicans. So if Republicans really want to do something on this issue of fixing a broken immigration reform, why not work across the aisle with Democrats and get it done? 

DOOCY: OK. 

SEAWRIGHT: Because immigration should not be a partisan issue it should be a bipartisan issue. 

DOOCY: OK, and Matt, exit question, I remember when Barack Obama had a super majority close to it in the U.S. Senate. 

SCHLAPP: That's right.

DOOCY: He could have done something about comprehensive immigration and did nothing. 

SCHLAPP: That's right.

SEAWRIGHT: Well, that's not true. 

SCHLAPP: He had a super majority in the Senate. 

DOOCY: That is true. 

SCHLAPP: He had a big majority in the House and he could have done anything he wanted on this topic. And he got a lot of criticism from the base of his party. They called him the deporter in chief. He refused to do anything on immigration reform. Democrats love this issue when they don't have the power. When they have the power they like to just play politics with it. We ought to fix it. I'm all for fixing it, I'm all for what the president's trying to do. 

SEAWRIGHT: Well Matt, Matt, if my memory serves me correctly it was I think the Gang of Six or Gang of Eight that wanted to do something to fix a broken immigration system in the comprehensive way and it was the Republicans who said no? 

SCHLAPP: No, no. 

SEAWRIGHT: They were working with the president? That was a bipartisan effort. 

SCHLAPP: No, I don't know where your memory is, but I do remember that Republicans were willing to sit down and talk but the House has the ability to pass the bill they want to. Sorry about that. 

Related:

The Nation: It's time to abolish ICE

Previously:

Video: The real story about ICE agents is that they're terrorizing people across the country

On CNN, Amy Goodman calls out media for ignoring people targeted by ICE and by Trump's deportation policies

While covering DACA, morning shows fail to include the voices that matter