The New York Times/Siena College Poll found 63% of registered voters disapprove of how Immigration and Customs Enforcement is handling its job, while 36% say they approve of ICE’s work. The poll was taken after federal officers fatally shot Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Since then there has been nothing but unrest in the city of Minneapolis and elsewhere.
ICE has caused significant harm to communities, and has put the “Fear of God” into the people of Minneapolis and elsewhere.
Critics have said that ICE’s function could be better handled by other agencies who don’t have the hurtful mindset of ICE.
The original purpose of ICE by this administration was to deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records, which is the right thing to do, but in a civilized manner. This is not happening.
As it stands ICE should be “melted” or the more common word would be to abolish ICE.
From the beginning ICE has been excessively aggressive. ICE’s use of excessive force needs to stop.
In Minneapolis many students have expressed their concerns about ICE.
The weekend of Jan. 31-Feb. 1 was a weekend of anti-ICE protests, and across the country people were protesting ICE’s cruelty against immigration raids.
The killings in Minneapolis may be the “last straw” from exhausted citizens.
I would like to quote what Timothy Snyder, law professor at Toronto University has said: “(President Donald) Trump is using the border as a pretext to defy the rule of law.”
Snyder has written many books but I would like to mention two of his books, which relate to the present ICE situation: “On Tyranny,” about how democracy can transform into dictatorship; and, “On Freedom,” how low the bar has been set.
Beware America. ICE can show up in your city and they can be as cruel as they have been in MInneapolis.
The best tool to counter ICE is to protest, protest, protest. Protest worked in Minneapolis and it will work for you in your city and around the country.
Lois Eisenberg
Valencia
