By Matt Underwood ICE has deported dozens of U.S. citizens, the report says. This headline immediately grabs your attention, doesn’t it? The very notion of a government agency deporting its own citizens seems utterly contradictory, a fundamental violation of the principles upon which this country was founded. It’s jarring to consider that something like this could happen, and yet, the report confirms it.
The core issue here is the terminology itself. “Deportation” implies sending someone, typically a non-citizen, back to their country of origin. But what happens when the person in question *is* a citizen? The report from Migrant Insider highlights that at least 70 U.S. citizens were deported by ICE between 2015 and 2020, and this is just the confirmed cases. The Government Accountability Office also revealed ICE arrested 674 potential U.S. citizens and detained 121 during the same time frame. It’s likely the actual number of those wrongfully removed is far higher, and the article also suggests the practice continues.
This raises serious questions about the integrity of the legal process. The comment section of this report uses terms like “kidnapped,” “exiled,” and “human trafficked,” which, frankly, are more accurate descriptions. To “deport” a U.S. citizen is not merely a bureaucratic error; it’s a profound constitutional violation. It’s depriving someone of their rights, their home, and their very identity as an American. It’s critical to remember that the Fourteenth Amendment applies to everyone within U.S. jurisdiction, regardless of their immigration status. Due process is absolutely paramount.
Another crucial point, as some comments emphasize, is the lack of accountability. ICE seemingly doesn’t meticulously document cases where citizenship is confirmed, creating an environment where these errors can go unchecked and uncorrected. This also means we are not seeing any accountability for those involved. The report also brings up how an audit by the GAO from 2018, which dealt with the deportation of veterans, was also widely ignored.
And let’s be clear: the people who are affected by this are often those who already face prejudice, which makes their situation even more precarious. It seems as though those carrying out these illegal actions are operating with impunity, and the victims are left to deal with the devastating consequences. The lack of due process in these cases is a central issue. If someone is a citizen, they have the right to a trial, not to be summarily removed from the country.
Furthermore, some commentators have rightly pointed out the importance of clear and accurate language. When the media uses terms like “deportation” to describe the removal of a U.S. citizen, it normalizes the situation and obfuscates the severity of the offense. Instead, the correct words are abduction or exile, because those actions are far more accurate and convey the criminal nature of what has occurred.
The timing of the original report is important to note: it primarily covers the period between 2015 and 2020. While the report may not give current data, it does offer a glimpse into the disturbing actions of this agency. While it’s crucial to understand the past, it’s equally important to investigate whether these practices are ongoing, and to demand transparency and accountability from the current administration.
The call for journalists to use the correct language is also a valid point. Using the language the government wants can easily result in a dangerous level of complicity in their actions. It isn’t about political bias; it’s about accuracy and the defense of the rights of every citizen.
The need for a truth and reconciliation commission, suggested by some, may be necessary. A comprehensive investigation into the abuses of ICE, along with the individuals responsible, seems to be the only way to right these wrongs.
In conclusion, this report is a wake-up call. It highlights a grave breach of the constitution and a violation of human rights. This is not about immigration; it’s about the fundamental principles of justice, due process, and the protection of every citizen. The fact that dozens of U.S. citizens have been, and potentially still are, subjected to this treatment should outrage us all. This situation demands our attention, our outrage, and our determination to ensure that it never happens again.