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It was not immediately clear what the president was referring to in saying the agency had \"liberated\" entire towns.

\"PHOTO:
Evan Vucci/AP
PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks at a Foxconn facility, June 28, 2018, in Mt. Pleasant, Wis.
>

But the tweet falls in line with what has been a public relations-style push by ICE and its allies in the Department of Homeland Security to downplay the imagery of family separations resulting from the administration's \"zero tolerance\" immigration policy.

Democrats have responded to the nationwide outcry over young immigrant children being separated from their parents to bring more attention to the #AbolishICE movement that calls for the agency to be disbanded entirely.

\"PHOTO:
Mark Graves/The Oregonian via AP
PHOTO: Authorities take action to reopen Portland's Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters, June 28, 2018 in Portland, Ore., as demonstrations had forced it to closed for more than a week.
>

In the past week, the position has gained traction with notable figures in the party, including New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joining the movement.

Thank you, @NYCMayor, for joining the call that seems the separation of children and violation of human rights as an inexcusable bright red line in the United States of America. https://t.co/5Dwxq0XJ9T

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) June 29, 2018

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic socialist candidate who achieved a shocking win Tuesday over Rep. Joe Crowley in the New York Democratic primary, touted the abolition of ICE as a key platform in her campaign.

\"The radical left Dems want you out,\" Trump said Saturday. \"Next it will be all police. Zero chance, It will never happen!\"

To the great and brave men and women of ICE, do not worry or lose your spirit. You are doing a fantastic job of keeping us safe by eradicating the worst criminal elements. So brave! The radical left Dems want you out. Next it will be all police. Zero chance, It will never happen!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 30, 2018

The president's forceful defense of the agency comes as immigration advocates are expected to hold large rallies across the country Saturday over the family separation controversy.

\"PHOTO:
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on board Air Force One, June 29, 2018, on his way to Bedminster, N.J.
>

While the president signed an executive order that put a halt to the separation of families who are detained trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, the government has not yet been able to provide clarity on the status of the more than 2,000 children who were originally separated from their parents under the \"zero tolerance\" policy.

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