Actress and New York Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) a "terrorist organization" on Thursday.
Nixon also called for the law enforcement agency's abolition.
"ICE has strayed so far from its mission. It's supposed to be here to keep Americans safe but what it's turned into is frankly a terrorist organization of its own, that is terrorizing people who are coming to this country," Nixon said to NY1.
Her opponent in the race, incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo, does not support getting rid of ICE.
"I think ICE should be a bonafide law enforcement organization that prudently and diligently enforces the law," Cuomo told a conference call of reporters.
Late on Thursday, Nixon repeated her comment on Twitter and called President Donald Trump its "egomaniacal leader."
"ICE is a terrorist organization, and its egomaniacal leader is Donald Trump. Sign our petition to #AbolishICE," Nixon tweeted.
ICE is a terrorist organization, and its egomaniacal leader is Donald Trump. Sign our petition to #AbolishICE: https://t.co/sZ3VF6lRhE https://t.co/qsB6XiJUJc
— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) June 22, 2018
Nixon has called on the governor to sign an executive order allowing drivers licenses for illegal immigrants but the governor argues that has to be done legislatively.
Earlier Thursday, Nixon appeared on ABC's "The View" and said she believes Cuomo is "more of a Republican" but is used the Trump administration to paint himself as a liberal.
"I think he’s barely progressive," she said of Cuomo. "He’s trying to find his progressive self with Donald Trump in the White House and a primary challenge from me but it doesn’t fit him very well, this newly made progressive suit."
The New York primary is on June 26.