ICE roundup doesn’t benefit public safety

Quoting ICE Field Director Wilcox, “This operation highlights our commitment to promoting public safety through the pursuit of targeted criminals...by identifying and removing those not willing to comply with U.S. laws.”

If ICE is spending $5.36 billion annual budget “promoting public safety”, shouldn’t we feel more safe? Because the opposite is happening. ICE’s campaign affects more than the 12 million undocumented immigrants. The American-citizens who are their spouses, children, relatives, friends, employers, and landlords are certainly not feeling more safe these days.

Who else is feeling less safe? Local law enforcement officials--that’s who. They now have large numbers of residents in their jurisdictions afraid of any contact with police; unlikely to report crimes or cooperate with authorities.

This ICE concern with “those not willing to comply with U.S. laws”. Doesn’t it take two to tango? Immigrants are here because people offer them jobs. Those offers, btw, don’t “comply with U.S. laws”. Will ICE begin rounding up farmers, homebuilders, restaurant owners, agri-business CEO’s? Will ICE begin forcing business owners and financiers into exile? Not likely--those are persons can afford expensive attorneys, and have political connections that can make things difficult for ICE...easier to prey upon those who are vulnerable and have fewer resources to fight back.

Try this, Mr. Wilcox, if you want to promote public safety: Fire yourself. Fire those working under you. Close your office and divert your budgeted monies to local law enforcement agencies--they’re working hard to enforce laws the American public actually believes in.

This story was originally published April 19, 2017 at 5:59 PM with the headline "ICE roundup doesn’t benefit public safety."