What Is ICE Really Up To?
How do you feel about the nearly 400,000 immigrants who've been detained by ICE during Trump's first year back in office?
According to an official DHS document, less than 14% of those captured and held had charges or convictions of violent criminal offenses. This reality finally contradicts the repeated falsity by administration officials that only dangerous, violent criminals, the “worst of the worst” are being deported.
Despite the promise to track down rapists, murderers, and gangsters, less than 2% of those detained by ICE over the last year had any sexual or homicide charges or convictions. And if you're wondering about all those purported gang members who are here "poisoning the blood of our country," only 2% of people detained had any gang affiliations or convictions.
Nearly 40% of all ICE arrests fell on the shoulders of immigrants who were living and working here without any criminal record whatsoever, other than the misdemeanor offense of having overstayed their welcome.
Dangerous criminals of any nationality belong in jail. Traditionally, our local police departments have been tasked with making those arrests, and our courts have held trials to determine guilt and jail time. ICE got involved only if the offender was a non-citizen.
Now, ICE agents patrol our city streets while expensive private jets fly immigrants to secret, unknown places. But, not the most dangerous ones. Why?
Would it make more sense to keep them here, recruit and outfit them as much-needed ICE agents due to their Spanish-speaking skills and cruel nature? Everything outlandish is now possible in America—including snapping mugshots of peaceful protesters for a government database.
Far more than a reasonable force engaged in the practical business of deporting violent criminals, it's time to see ICE agents for who they are: paramilitary commandos hired to disrupt democratic norms and foment widespread fear, antagonism, and public outrage in American cities.
As the mask is lifted, the ugly face of dictatorship is revealed. Unrest is always the justification for clamping down on citizens' rights. It's how democracies are destabilized and begin to fall around the globe.
Sadly, the joke's on us. As the rug's pulled out from under us, Putin's 10-year-long regime change in America has succeeded, putting a big smile on this administration's face.
Homeless Valley
I hope this is not true.🤨
Evangel
The worst things that governments do in this world are always couched as positive. It's why we struggle to believe the cloaked reality.
Slipstream
I hate what's happened to our country. History tells us where it's headed. But I continue to show kindness when and where I can, hoping that what I and others do will somehow stop the anger and hate and turn us toward goodness and love.
Evangel
Turning away from hate in our own circle is good and under our control. Turning away from the hateful things that are being done to good people is what we must not do. That's also under our control.
Well Street
At a recent House Committee on Homeland Security oversight hearing, Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, said that individuals here illegally are criminals and will continue being targeted. His statement spells out in words what we've known for months—the pretense of pursuing "the worst of the worst" was always a charade.
Evangel
And they continue to deny this. What troubles me most are the latinos who are joining ICE.
Wilsons Grave
Illegal isn't the real problem, color of skin is. That's why they're bringing white immigrants in from South Africa to replace the darker ones from down yonder. It's their way to tackle that "great replacement theory" that's got lots of folks' panties in a bunch.
Evangel
Sad, but true. Hard to understand in this day and age. Separating out races and keeping one's distance from "those kinds of people" dates long back before biblical times.
Present Valley
Thank you for the ICE update.
Often when I read something like this or hear a news piece I hardly know what to say. What I think is, OMG, what is happening to our country, the lies and misinformation and targeting innocent people. What I feel is powerless, inadequate and incompetent to make a difference.
So what I do to refocus and ground myself is to focus my attention on my circle of influence, being supportive, compassionate and a good listener. I also check myself to insure I monitor my news intake because my nervous system (quite frankly I don't believe anyone's can) cannot handle all that is available out there inundating us. I'm no good to myself or anyone else if I become unable to function.
Evangel
News today can be very unsettling. I think the actions of our current administration are meant to rattle and unravel us, with the goal of rendering us powerless. They don't want a fight. They want silence to move forward unimpeded. So, follow your heart. If you appreciate a post but have nothing to add, you can always offer kindreds instead as a way of saying, "I hear you, I feel your pain." Thanks for speaking your truth.💜