Tag Archives: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE)

Forgetting History

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On Wednesday, Jonathan Turley posted an article about President Trump using the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) to deal with illegal immigrants in our major cities. Using federal forces to enforce law and order is not a new concept.

The article reports:

As a native Chicagoan, I must confess that I have little patience for Mayor Brandon Johnson, a politician who has been a disaster for the city. One of the most unpopular mayors in the city’s history, Johnson has been using the increased ICE operations to try to ride a wave of rage back into popularity. His language has become more and more inflammatory in calling for citizens to “resist” and “fight” federal law enforcement. Now, he is claiming the authority to not only mandate “ICE-free zones” in the city but to arrest federal officers.

Ironically, Johnson has declared that President Donald Trump wants a “rematch of the Civil War.” However, it is Johnson who is pursuing antebellum policies. It was the South that claimed independence from the Union and fought to expel federal troops.

Johnson signed a ridiculous executive order creating “ICE-Free Zones” to ban federal agents from using city-owned properties and property of unwilling private owners as staging areas for immigration enforcement.

The federal government has its own jurisdictional authority and can enter city and private property in pursuit of lawful operations. In terms of “staging” operations, the Constitution, not Brandon Johnson, protects citizens from having their property seized or used for the quartering of troops.

Most importantly, the City of Chicago cannot arrest federal officers who are conducting federal operations. This point was correctly noted earlier by Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling, who said that CPD officers will not arrest federal law enforcement, “because someone deems what they are doing is illegal.”

Nevertheless, Johnson was back to his signature chest-pounding bravado: “We’re going to see people in court. As far as other authority that allows for us to be able to enforce this ordinance, we’re exploring.”

This is posturing by someone who wants to be re-elected.

The article concludes:

Threatening the arrest of federal officers enforcing federal law is not defending the rule of law or democracy. Indeed, a similar claim was made by Southern politicians not only before the Civil War but during the Civil Rights era. It was governors like George Wallace who insisted that he could stop federal officials and the National Guard from enforcing federal law.

Likewise, it was George Wallace who objected to the “unwelcomed, unwanted, unwarranted, and force-induced intrusion” in his state by federal law enforcement.

Before Johnson attempts to arrest federal officials, he might want to take another look at the Constitution and review some history on the subject. Wallace also tried to ride the wave of rage to power after “standing at the schoolhouse door in person, if necessary.” It did not work. The federal government prevailed, and Wallace was left as a tragic relic of history.

Who does the Mayor think is paying for the illegal aliens in his city? If the taxpayers are smart, they will quickly vote him out of office.

Mistaken Identity?

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On September 29 (updated September 30), Newsweek posted an article about the firebombing of Ice Cube crew’s tour bus in Portland, Oregon. There is speculation that the person who placed the firebomb thought that the bus had something to do with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE).

The article reports:

Initial reports allege that the attack was instigated by protesters who mistakenly identified the vehicle—due to its prominent “ICE” letters—as belonging to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to The Times of India newspaper, a group believed to be associated with Antifa threw incendiary devices at the bus, causing significant exterior damage but not causing any injuries.

Why It Matters

The firebombing has raised concerns about protest violence, mistaken identity and public safety at large concert events. The incident, reportedly motivated by a misunderstanding involving a bus’ “ICE” lettering, highlights the risks facing touring artists and their crews amid a polarized American social climate. Law enforcement is actively investigating, while Ice Cube’s response emphasizes composure and resilience in the face of property damage and mistaken protest targeting. No injuries were reported, but the event has sparked debate over protest tactics and the safety of high-profile performers.

President Trump told Oregon Governor Tina Kotek that 200 members of the Oregon National Guard were being federalized, placing them under his command. Since then, the move has received broad pushback from officials in Portland, who say troops are unnecessary and detrimental to their efforts.

First of all, we need smarter protesters. Second of all, we need protesters who follow the law when protesting. Protesting is legal. Destroying property is not legal. Based on the videos coming out of Portland, the troops are necessary.

Cleaning Up Another Major American City

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On Monday, Hot Air reported that the Trump administration is beginning a major effort in Chicago to deport illegal aliens. The operation is being dedicated to a young woman who was killed by an illegal alien who was driving while drunk earlier this year.

The article quotes The Washington Post:

Chicago city leaders and immigrant advocates said federal law enforcement officers began making arrests Sunday and had taken at least five people into custody, including a well-known flower vendor and people waiting at a bus stop and on the sidewalk. The activists said there had been “an escalation” in enforcement actions and several reported sightings of ICE vehicles.

“We believe this operation signals the beginning of ICE’s full escalation in Chicago and Illinois,” said Rey Wences, senior director of deportation defense for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

Notice that the article at The Washington Post refers to the illegal aliens simply as immigrants. That is very misleading. Immigrants go through the process to come to America legally. The people arrested broke the law in coming here, and in many cases are not interested in assimilating into American culture or following America’s laws.

There have been protests in various areas of the city against the actions of ICE in rounding up people who are here illegally. That makes no sense to me. Why are the residents of Chicago protesting actions that could possibly bring down the crime rate? I guess my answer is that they are protesting for the same reasons there are protests in Washington, D.C. about the use of the National Guard. The people doing the protesting are not in the areas where the crime rates are highest or the areas where misconduct by illegal aliens is a problem. What we are seeing is a total disregard for the safety of their fellow citizens and a total disregard for the rule of law.

Where Some Of The Unaccompanied Minor Children Went

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On July 11th, Townhall posted an article about a recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) raid at a cannabis farms in Camarillo, California.

The article reports:

Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott confirmed 10 of the individuals discovered during an immigration enforcement operation at cannabis farms in Camarillo, California, were illegal immigrant minors.

Responding to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s X post calling President Trump “the real scum,” Scott revealed the “breaking news.”

“Here’s some breaking news: 10 juveniles were found at this marijuana facility – all illegal aliens, 8 of them unaccompanied,” he said. “It’s now under investigation for child labor violations. This is Newsom’s California.”

The Department of Homeland Security’s X account also responded to Newsom’s post: “Why are there children working at a marijuana facility, Gavin?” 

Another article posted at Townhall on July 11th reports:

We’ve gone beyond leftists being annoying and hysterical regarding disrupting Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. It’s now domestic terrorism. ICE conducted a raid on a cannabis farm in Camarillo, California, which devolved into a total circus. They tried to block vehicles, used human chain antics, and were being overall annoying. Then, things got violent. Video clearly shows an anti-ICE activist shooting at federal agents during the mayhem (via ABC 7):

This is in no way acceptable behavior. A political party that justifies child labor and illegal entry into America is not a political party–it is a lawless gang that has lost its way.

Riots Are Expensive

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On Sunday, The Gateway Pundit posted an article about the cost of the Los Angeles riots.

The article reports:

New data from the City of Los Angeles’ Controller shows that anti-ICE riots across the city had cost taxpayers over $32 million between June 1 and June 17. 

LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia tried to spin numbers on X, attributing the massive cost to the city to “ICE raids.”

“$29.5 million or 92% relates to LAPD’s response to protests against ICE, including citywide tactical alert costs,” he said, failing to mention the violence by so-called protesters that spurred police responses.

Police have arrested at least 561 people since the riots started earlier this month.

He also mentioned the “$1.4 million relates to clean-up / public property damage,” but somehow, it’s ICE’s fault that leftist rioters and illegal aliens caused over one million dollars in damage.

The total, roughly $32 million, “does not include potential lawsuits,” Mejia said.

The article concludes:

It can be recalled that Governor Gavin Newsom sued President Trump for exercising his authority as President to federalize the National Guard and prevent the riots from becoming even more violent and costing more money. Trump had sent in 4,000 National Guard Troops to help quell the riots.

After winning a leftist federal judge in San Francisco ordered President Trump to return control of the National Guard to California, the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court unanimously sided with Trump, allowing him to keep the California National Guard deployed.

However, leftist radicals and illegal aliens are still out in the streets attacking law enforcement and destroying public property.

As The Gateway Pundit reported, two Border Patrol vehicles were rammed, their tires slashed, and windows smashed on Friday in Bell and Maywood, California, as violent mobs broke out in the area.

If I entered America illegally in search of a better life, why would I riot in the streets and risk getting put in jail or deported? This is not what it appears to be.

Who Are The Migrants Being Arrested?

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On May 2nd, The Daily Caller reported:

During the week marking President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, ICE agents carried out a series of high-profile arrests of migrants with criminal records, according to a document first shared with the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Starting the week of his 100-day mark, booking photos of illegal migrants with convictions or pending charges were displayed along the White House north lawn’s perimeter. Throughout the week,ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO made major arrests across the country, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) releasing details and photos of five of their most significant cases.

The article has pictures and brief details of five of the most significant cases:

ERO Detroit arrested Ludwig Ivan Castaneda-Gonzalez, a 33-year-old Mexican national, this week in Holland, Michigan. According to DHS, Castaneda-Gonzalez’s criminal history includes a conviction for criminal sexual conduct involving a person aged 13 to 15, which encompasses all sex offenses under Michigan law.

In Texas, ERO’s Houston team arrested Jesus Arriaga-Gamez, a 61-year-old Mexican citizen, for his record of aggravated sexual assault of a child. While DHS documents did not outline his full criminal history, they confirmed his conviction for aggravated sexual assault of a child in Cameron County, Texas.

In the sanctuary city of Los Angeles, ERO agents arrested Christian Robles-Andrade, a 34-year-old Mexican citizen. Robles-Andrade, pictured with tattoos covering his body, is described as an active gang member with ties to the 8th Street Gang and goes by the nickname “Tiny.” According to DHS documents, his criminal history includes a conviction for voluntary manslaughter in Los Angeles.

In another sanctuary city on the East Coast, ERO Boston arrested Mario Alexander Ochoa-Lemus, a 33-year-old citizen of El Salvador. His criminal history includes convictions for rape and abuse of a child, child pornography and witness intimidation in Boston.

…On Thursday, DHS announced the arrest of Kwadwo Boaitey Frimpong, a 32-year-old citizen of Ghana, who was detained by ERO Baltimore on Tuesday. Frimpong entered the U.S. in 2019 on an F-1 visa but has since been convicted on seven counts of possession of child pornography, according to DHS. The agency stated he will remain in ICE custody pending the outcome of removal proceedings.

These people entered our country illegally. Is there any logical reason to want to keep them here?

The Law Only Counts Sometimes

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On Friday, Breitbart posted an article about a recent comment by Wisconsin State Representative Ryan Clancy (D).

The article reports:

On Friday’s broadcast of CNN’s “OutFront,” Wisconsin State Rep. Ryan Clancy (D) stated that Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan “didn’t obstruct justice. She obstructed fascism” because all the ICE agents had was an administrative warrant, which he argued don’t mean anything.

Clancy said, “[W]e’re talking about an administrative warrant. We’re talking about something that ICE puts together internally. It’s like me walking around with a note in my pocket saying, Rep. Clancy can do whatever he wants. I do have one of those, but it doesn’t mean anything, right? They did not present an actual warrant signed by an actual judge. So Judge Dugan was in her rights in doing what she did, she didn’t obstruct justice. She obstructed fascism in this case.”

He further stated that even if there was a judicial warrant, “it does not make sense, we should not have ICE agents in a protected space like a courtroom, any more than you’d want ICE agents going into an operating room or a classroom.

We used to think it was a good idea to arrest people who broke the law regardless of their physical location. If a bank robber is hiding in a church, should the police arrest him there? Does it matter what kind of a warrant they may or may not have?

It is amazing to me the lengths the current Democrat party will go to protect the imaginary civil rights of non-citizens. Somehow they were much less concerned with the rights of the people who walked through the Capitol building on January 6th, 2021. The majority of the people who walked through those doors after the police invited them in were denied their civil rights. There are accounts of beatings and other mistreatment. Where was the ACLU and the Democrat party? I don’t remember hearing from them at the time.