Democrat congressional candidate backtracks on supporting ICE after being booed

A Democratic candidate running for Congress in Arizona is backtracking her support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, just days after she was booed for voicing support for the law enforcement agency.

Former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D), who lost a 2016 Senate bid to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), was booed last Thursday when she expressed support for ICE during a debate between her and other candidates for Arizona's 2nd congressional district. Candidates were asked to raise their hands to show support for ICE, and Kirkpatrick was the only candidate to do so.

What is she saying now?

Despite the expression of support, Kirkpatrick lashed out at Fox News and "other outlets" for publishing "false reports on my position on ICE, without a single word from me."

In a message posted to Twitter, Kirkpatrick clarified her position on the controversial agency, though it was more aimed at separating herself with the White House. She said she is "disgusted" by family separations that happened at the border, and claimed the White House's "zero tolerance" illegal immigration policy is "illegal."

"These policies are immoral and they are counterproductive," she said. "The work done by ICE and the Border Patrol must be done in a matter that is humane, ethical, accountable and transparent. Today, in many cases, it is not."

"I support Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act," she clarified, adding that she wants to ensure ICE is following the law and "respecting the humanity of people."

What led to the statement?

It's not exactly clear what "false reports" Kirkpatrick is referring to. She raised her hand at last Thursday's debate to express support for ICE, the only candidate on stage to do so.

However, an incident involving Fox News may have sparked Monday's clarification.

During Monday's airing of "Fox & Friends First," the network's prequel to "Fox & Friends," show producers accidentally booked Massachusetts state Sen. Barbara L’Italien (D), who is running for an open congressional district there, instead of Kirkpatrick for a segment on Kirkpatrick being booed for supporting ICE.

The show hosts referred to L'Italien as Kirkpatrick — not knowing it wasn't Kirkpatrick who was speaking to them — and asked her about Kirkpatrick's debate debacle. Once the show learned it wasn't Kirkpatrick speaking, they quickly ended the interview.

The executive producer for the Fox News show said in a statement:

This morning we invited Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick to appear on Fox & Friends First through her press contact on file Joe Katz, who accepted the invitation on Kirkpatrick’s behalf. Katz followed with an email confirming the segment, which also included background information and a campaign logo for Ann Kirkpatrick. Despite speaking to producers prior to the interview, L’Italien did not identify herself as anything other than Kirkpatrick until she was live on air, at which point we ended the interview.

Kirkpatrick posted her statement just hours after the incident.