Federal Enforcement Actions in Minneapolis
Following the deaths of ICU nurse Alex Pretti and Renee Good, attributed to federal agent shootings in Minneapolis, a surge of Homeland Security agents has been observed in the city.
Critics argue that extensive deportation policies may lead to measures impacting the rights and lives of legal residents and citizens.
Reported Incidents
A series of incidents have been reported amidst the increased federal presence:
- ChongLy Thao, a 56-year-old U.S. citizen, was removed from his home by federal agents in cold weather. Agents were reportedly seeking an individual already in prison.
- An asylum seeker from Ecuador, with a pending immigration case, was detained with his 5-year-old son after picking him up from preschool.
- Video clips show ICE and Border Patrol agents requesting identification from Minneapolis residents, actions attributed by some observers to residents' appearance or speech.
- A landscaper, residing in the U.S. since the 1990s with no criminal record and three Marine children, was reportedly detained for deportation and allegedly beaten by ICE agents.
- A 70-year-old Iranian woman, who had been allowed to stay in the U.S. for 26 years after being denied asylum and reportedly complied with release conditions, was detained for several months without adequate medical care.
Arguments for Aggressive Enforcement
Proponents of aggressive immigration enforcement tend to minimize such incidents, characterizing them as an inevitable part of large-scale deportation efforts. Pundit Wilfred Reilly described Thao's experience as merely:
"an un-injured man was briefly out in the cold."
Arguments suggest that mass deportation inherently involves challenges, particularly after what some describe as increased entries under the previous administration. Fox News columnist David Marcus specifically attributed current challenges to actions during the Biden administration.
Colin Wright, a Manhattan Institute fellow, stated on social media that:
"isolated instances of ICE errors or overreach" are to be expected when "trying to deport millions of people," noting "No system is perfect."
He also clarified that deportations should ideally be completed by the end of a potential second Trump term.
Justifications and Criticisms
One justification cited for rapid deportations is the belief in a crime wave attributed to illegal immigrants. However, research indicates that unauthorized immigrants generally have lower crime rates than native-born Americans, and increased unauthorized immigration is not correlated with higher crime rates. The murder of Laken Riley by an undocumented migrant was cited as a high-profile case.
Other justifications include concerns about 'Great Replacement' theories and and the idea that some political actors encourage unauthorized immigration for votes. While evidence for widespread illegal voting by noncitizens is minimal, some, including Colin Wright and Palmer Luckey, argue that census apportionment of electoral votes is a relevant concern. Analysis suggests this effect would influence states across the political spectrum similarly.
Arguments for quick deportations, citing a limited timeframe potentially ending after 2028, suggest an awareness of public opposition to aggressive mass deportations. Reports indicate declining approval ratings for ICE and decreasing public support for former President Trump's immigration stance.
Public Opinion on Deportation
Polling data from a Pew Research Center survey last March indicated public support for border security, but less enthusiasm for a "hardline" approach to deportation. The survey found strong consensus for deporting individuals who committed violent or nonviolent crimes, but less support for deporting those who are gainfully employed, arrived as children, or have U.S. citizen spouses/children.
Information suggests that many individuals currently being detained by ICE have no criminal convictions (73%) and only a small percentage (5%) are violent criminals.
The article concludes by positing that, regardless of stated motivations, a mass-deportation agenda may lead to a mentality where civil rights violations are overlooked in pursuit of a specific objective. This is echoed in a statement by Nikolai Yezhov during the Soviet purges:
"When you chop wood, chips fly."