It is time to kill ICE. The agency was created in the time of paranoia and continues to operate in that framework, making it dangerous for everyone in the US. Save a bunch of money too, a bone to throw to the GOP.
Wow! We descend further into the Looking Glass each day. I love the bit about “the government refuses to take “yes” as the answer.” But it very disturbingly points to why government won’t take “yes” for an answer. ICE wants to humiliate, and deny the legal and constitutional rights of anyone it ensnares with its masked and unidentified agents. Very disturbing indeed.
Aside from the extreme irony that deportations have been less this year under the Trump administration then last year at this time, I have been very disturbed, particularly after Trump‘s action last night calling in the national guard in California. I asked ChatGPT to provide a list of actions we can take around what’s happening and I just wanted to post it here in case it’s helpful.
Here is a Civic Action Checklist you can post on Substack to mobilize citizens to call their legislators and demand real accountability around immigration enforcement abuses:
The federal government’s use of immigration enforcement to intimidate, destabilize communities, and overrule state sovereignty demands immediate civic response. Below are specific actions you can take—and exactly what to ask your legislators to do.
⸻
📞 CALL TO ACTION: WHAT TO ASK YOUR REPRESENTATIVES & SENATORS TO SUPPORT
⸻
1. Protect Due Process for Immigrants
🟩 Legislation Needed:
• Ban deportation of individuals with pending asylum, visa, or legal status applications.
• Guarantee access to legal counsel in all immigration proceedings.
📣 What to say:
“I urge you to support legislation that prevents deporting people with active legal claims and guarantees access to immigration court and legal counsel for all detainees. No American should support a government that removes people without a hearing.”
⸻
2. End Expedited Removal Nationwide
🟩 Legislation Needed:
• Repeal or amend IIRIRA’s provisions allowing expedited removal beyond 100 miles of the border.
• Restore full legal proceedings for anyone in the country longer than 14 days.
📣 What to say:
“I’m calling to demand you support limits on expedited removal, so no one can be deported without a fair hearing. The abuse of this tool is undermining our legal system.”
⸻
3. Block Unauthorized Use of Military for Domestic Enforcement
🟩 Legislation Needed:
• Pass a law requiring Congressional or state consent before the National Guard can be deployed in any domestic immigration role.
• Strengthen Posse Comitatus Act protections.
📣 What to say:
“Congress must prohibit using the National Guard or military to support ICE in U.S. cities without an act of Congress or state governor consent. This is a dangerous precedent.”
⸻
4. Codify Protections for Sensitive Locations
🟩 Legislation Needed:
• Make it illegal for ICE to conduct raids in or around:
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Places of worship
• Courthouses
📣 What to say:
“Please sponsor or support a bill to permanently ban ICE raids in sensitive locations. Children should not be arrested on the way to school, and families shouldn’t fear seeking medical help.”
⸻
5. Create an Independent Immigration Oversight Office
🟩 Legislation Needed:
• Establish a nonpartisan Office of Immigration Accountability with:
• Public reporting power
• Whistleblower protection
• Complaint intake and legal review mandate
📣 What to say:
“We need a federal watchdog to monitor ICE and DHS. Support the creation of an independent oversight office to prevent abuse and corruption in immigration enforcement.”
⸻
6. Restore State Autonomy in Immigration Cooperation
🟩 Legislation Needed:
• Prohibit the federal government from unilaterally overriding sanctuary laws or local enforcement priorities.
• Require judicial review for any attempt to strip federal funding from states or cities.
📣 What to say:
“Stop federal overreach into state and local government. I want you to protect state rights by opposing legislation that punishes sanctuary jurisdictions.”
⸻
7. Hold ICE and DHS Officials Accountable
🟩 Congressional Oversight Needed:
• Launch hearings into ICE’s recent tactics and detentions.
• Subpoena internal communications and field orders related to:
• Raids in Los Angeles
• Use of military gear or personnel
• Deportations of compliant individuals
📣 What to say:
“I demand Congressional hearings into ICE’s actions this year. Americans deserve to know how their government is being used—especially if it’s violating civil rights.”
⸻
🧾 Bonus: Print, Share, and Organize
🟦 Postcards and Emails:
• You can also write: “I am a constituent and I vote. I am alarmed by the dehumanization of immigrants and use of force in our cities. Please act now.”
🟩 Organize or join:
• Local “Know Your Rights” sessions
• Legal defense funds for immigrant families
• Letter-writing campaigns to newspaper editors and city councils
⸻
🧭 Final Thought
This is not just about immigration. It’s about the kind of country we are becoming. Every call and every email is a declaration that America should be governed by law, not fear.
It is time to kill ICE. The agency was created in the time of paranoia and continues to operate in that framework, making it dangerous for everyone in the US. Save a bunch of money too, a bone to throw to the GOP.
Wow! We descend further into the Looking Glass each day. I love the bit about “the government refuses to take “yes” as the answer.” But it very disturbingly points to why government won’t take “yes” for an answer. ICE wants to humiliate, and deny the legal and constitutional rights of anyone it ensnares with its masked and unidentified agents. Very disturbing indeed.
Aside from the extreme irony that deportations have been less this year under the Trump administration then last year at this time, I have been very disturbed, particularly after Trump‘s action last night calling in the national guard in California. I asked ChatGPT to provide a list of actions we can take around what’s happening and I just wanted to post it here in case it’s helpful.
Here is a Civic Action Checklist you can post on Substack to mobilize citizens to call their legislators and demand real accountability around immigration enforcement abuses:
⸻
🗳 Civic Action Guide: Stop Authoritarian Immigration Enforcement
The federal government’s use of immigration enforcement to intimidate, destabilize communities, and overrule state sovereignty demands immediate civic response. Below are specific actions you can take—and exactly what to ask your legislators to do.
⸻
📞 CALL TO ACTION: WHAT TO ASK YOUR REPRESENTATIVES & SENATORS TO SUPPORT
⸻
1. Protect Due Process for Immigrants
🟩 Legislation Needed:
• Ban deportation of individuals with pending asylum, visa, or legal status applications.
• Guarantee access to legal counsel in all immigration proceedings.
📣 What to say:
“I urge you to support legislation that prevents deporting people with active legal claims and guarantees access to immigration court and legal counsel for all detainees. No American should support a government that removes people without a hearing.”
⸻
2. End Expedited Removal Nationwide
🟩 Legislation Needed:
• Repeal or amend IIRIRA’s provisions allowing expedited removal beyond 100 miles of the border.
• Restore full legal proceedings for anyone in the country longer than 14 days.
📣 What to say:
“I’m calling to demand you support limits on expedited removal, so no one can be deported without a fair hearing. The abuse of this tool is undermining our legal system.”
⸻
3. Block Unauthorized Use of Military for Domestic Enforcement
🟩 Legislation Needed:
• Pass a law requiring Congressional or state consent before the National Guard can be deployed in any domestic immigration role.
• Strengthen Posse Comitatus Act protections.
📣 What to say:
“Congress must prohibit using the National Guard or military to support ICE in U.S. cities without an act of Congress or state governor consent. This is a dangerous precedent.”
⸻
4. Codify Protections for Sensitive Locations
🟩 Legislation Needed:
• Make it illegal for ICE to conduct raids in or around:
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Places of worship
• Courthouses
📣 What to say:
“Please sponsor or support a bill to permanently ban ICE raids in sensitive locations. Children should not be arrested on the way to school, and families shouldn’t fear seeking medical help.”
⸻
5. Create an Independent Immigration Oversight Office
🟩 Legislation Needed:
• Establish a nonpartisan Office of Immigration Accountability with:
• Public reporting power
• Whistleblower protection
• Complaint intake and legal review mandate
📣 What to say:
“We need a federal watchdog to monitor ICE and DHS. Support the creation of an independent oversight office to prevent abuse and corruption in immigration enforcement.”
⸻
6. Restore State Autonomy in Immigration Cooperation
🟩 Legislation Needed:
• Prohibit the federal government from unilaterally overriding sanctuary laws or local enforcement priorities.
• Require judicial review for any attempt to strip federal funding from states or cities.
📣 What to say:
“Stop federal overreach into state and local government. I want you to protect state rights by opposing legislation that punishes sanctuary jurisdictions.”
⸻
7. Hold ICE and DHS Officials Accountable
🟩 Congressional Oversight Needed:
• Launch hearings into ICE’s recent tactics and detentions.
• Subpoena internal communications and field orders related to:
• Raids in Los Angeles
• Use of military gear or personnel
• Deportations of compliant individuals
📣 What to say:
“I demand Congressional hearings into ICE’s actions this year. Americans deserve to know how their government is being used—especially if it’s violating civil rights.”
⸻
🧾 Bonus: Print, Share, and Organize
🟦 Postcards and Emails:
• You can also write: “I am a constituent and I vote. I am alarmed by the dehumanization of immigrants and use of force in our cities. Please act now.”
🟩 Organize or join:
• Local “Know Your Rights” sessions
• Legal defense funds for immigrant families
• Letter-writing campaigns to newspaper editors and city councils
⸻
🧭 Final Thought
This is not just about immigration. It’s about the kind of country we are becoming. Every call and every email is a declaration that America should be governed by law, not fear.