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Former Attorney General Eric HolderEric Himpton HolderThe Hill's Morning Report Trump, Putin meet under cloud of Muellers Russia indictments Eric Holder: Calls to abolish ICE are 'a gift to Republicans' The Hill's Morning Report Trump denigrates NATO allies, floats 4 percent solution MORE said Friday that the growing calls from Democrats to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are a "gift" to Republicans.

"I dont think that substantively or politically that makes a great deal of sense," Holder, who served under former President Obama, told host Chuck Todd on MSNBC's "MTP Daily."

In some ways, you're giving the Republicans a gift by saying we're going to have a debate now about whether ICE Should be abolished."

WATCH: @EricHolder says calls to eliminate ICE are "a gift to Republicans" and more focus should be on separated families #MTPDaily pic.twitter.com/YV2RdyNdBq

Holder's comments come as many Democratic lawmakers have voiced opposition to the agency in light of President TrumpDonald John TrumpNFL freezes policy barring players from protesting during anthem McConnell spokesman on Putin visit: 'There is no invitation from Congress' Petition urges University of Virginia not to hire Marc Short MORE's "zero tolerance" immigration policy that led to thousands of migrant families being separated at the southern border.

Earlier this week, a group of Democratic lawmakers introducedlegislation that would eliminate the agency.House Majority LeaderKevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthyHouse leaders clash over resolution backing ICE House backs resolution expressing support for ICE House GOP reverses, cancels vote on Dem bill to abolish ICE MORE(R-Calif.) responded byconfirming a timefor a vote on the bill.

Democratic Reps.Mark PocanMark William PocanHouse backs resolution expressing support for ICE House GOP reverses, cancels vote on Dem bill to abolish ICE This week: GOP mulls vote on abolish ICE legislation MORE(Wis.),Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalOvernight Health Care: Novartis pulls back on drug price hikes | House Dems launch Medicare for All caucus | Trump officials pushing ahead on Medicaid work requirements House Dems launching Medicare for All Caucus Sparks fly at hearing on anti-conservative bias in tech MORE(Wash.) andAdriano EspaillatAdriano de Jesus Espaillat CabralNAACP statehood statement leaves Puerto Ricans perplexed House GOP reverses, cancels vote on Dem bill to abolish ICE This week: GOP mulls vote on abolish ICE legislation MORE(N.Y.) accused GOP leadersof attempting to exploit the legislation for political gain, saying they would vote against the measure if it was brought to the House floor.

"We know Speaker Ryan is not serious about passing our 'Establishing a Humane Immigration Enforcement System Act,' so members of Congress, advocacy groups, and impacted communities will not engage in this political stunt,"the Democrats said in a joint statement on Thursday, adding that they welcome an opportunity for a debate about the legislation.

Republicans are hoping to force Democratic lawmakers running in swing districts in the November midterm elections into making a difficult vote on the agency.

Holdertold MSNBC that a debate on ICE moves away the focus from reunifying the thousands of migrant families separated at the border.

"The focus ought to be on what this administration did to those children, Holder said.

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