Brian Varela Launches First TV Ad Vowing to "Dismantle Trump's ICE" and End For-Profit Detention

Brian Varela, a businessman and son of Colombian immigrants, has made his intentions clear in his first TV ad for the Democratic primary in New Jersey’s 7th congressional district. Varela promises to "dismantle Trump’s ICE," put an end to for-profit immigration detention centers, and halt "forever wars" — a trio of commitments that directly confront some of the most toxic legacies of the Trump administration.

The ad, backed by a six-figure buy across cable, streaming, and digital platforms, underscores Varela’s personal connection to immigrant communities. "My parents came here from Colombia and built a life from nothing," Varela says in the ad. "The families I see in our district every day remind me of them. They are working, paying taxes, raising kids, and contributing to our communities. They do not deserve to live in fear of being snatched up on the way to work."

Varela’s message hits at the heart of the ongoing human rights abuses tied to ICE detention centers — inhumane conditions, family separations, and a sprawling, for-profit detention system that has expanded under Trump’s watch. By pledging to dismantle ICE as it exists today, Varela is taking a stand against the authoritarian immigration enforcement tactics that have terrorized immigrant communities nationwide.

His campaign has raised $1.3 million, mostly self-funded, giving him a strong financial footing in a crowded primary that includes former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett and physician Tina Shah. Both have also launched ads, while veterans-focused group VoteVets has ramped up spending to $400,000 in support of Bennett.

Varela’s ad frames the election as a choice between continuing the Trump-era policies of fear and hatred or building a more just and humane future. "I can defeat Tom Kean Jr. and dismantle Trump’s ICE, stop for-profit detention centers, end forever wars, and use the savings to reduce costs at home," Varela declares.

In a district that is among the most competitive in the country, Varela’s unapologetic stance on ICE and immigration enforcement signals a growing appetite among Democratic voters for accountability and reform. His campaign is a reminder that the fight against the abuses of Trump’s immigration regime is far from over — and that dismantling these structures remains a vital priority for those seeking to restore democratic integrity and civil rights.