By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Since the start of the “Midway Blitz” in Chicago, over 3,000 alleged undocumented immigrants have been detained. Human rights organizations and attorneys are struggling to locate the detainees, as authorities have been unable to provide information on their whereabouts. Concerns are growing that some detainees are being pressured to accept voluntary departure, which results in deportation. Despite a court order requiring authorities to report on their handling of arrests, the government has not yet fully complied.
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Could ICE have “lost” 3,000 immigrant arrestees in Chicago? That’s the question that hangs heavy in the air, a question that demands our attention, even if the answers are unsettling. The very language used – “lost” versus “detained” or “arrested” – feels like a subtle shift, a word game that potentially obscures the reality of what’s happening. The term “arrestee” carries a specific legal weight, but it’s the implications of “lost” that trigger deep unease.
The possibility of ICE losing thousands of individuals is disturbing because it hints at a systemic failure, or worse, a deliberate effort to make people vanish. The historical context is crucial here. The comparison to Nazi Germany, with its meticulous record-keeping of atrocities, serves as a stark warning. If ICE is “losing” people, are they also avoiding creating a paper trail? The absence of detailed records creates a vacuum, allowing for the potential for abuse and unaccountability.
Furthermore, the operational realities of ICE itself raise serious questions. If the hiring criteria are low, what level of training and professionalism can be expected? Can an under-trained workforce maintain the complex and crucial records needed? The implication is that without proper record-keeping, it becomes nearly impossible to track individuals, leading to a situation where they could truly be “lost” within the system.
The idea that ICE might be deliberately mismanaging the fate of these arrestees, by either executing or enslaving them or dumping them in mass graves, is a horrifying but plausible possibility. The term “disappeared” becomes the more accurate description than “lost.” It echoes the tactics of authoritarian regimes, where individuals vanish without a trace. Family members and lawyers unable to locate detainees become the first line witnesses to the bureaucratic and cruel intent behind the disappearance.
The motivations for such actions could vary. Perhaps the aim is to avoid accountability or to exploit the arrestees for financial gain. The claim that ICE personnel are motivated by capture bonuses could suggest a system incentivizing quantity over due process and the well-being of the individuals.
The potential for human trafficking is a particularly insidious aspect of the situation. The possibility that ICE might be holding arrestees long enough to receive a bonus, then dumping them elsewhere to be re-captured, is a bleak commentary on the incentives within the system.
The role of media in scrutinizing such accusations cannot be overstated. Passively reporting government statements without critical investigation is a disservice to the public and a potential betrayal of those who are caught in the system. The current federal government is potentially considered a hostile witness, implying a climate where deception and obfuscation are possible.
The locations where these arrestees were deported must be scrutinized, as some countries are known for poor treatment and horrific conditions. The possibility of these individuals being shipped to “gulags” or secret prisons highlights the potential for serious human rights violations.
The use of the word “lost” might be a deliberate attempt to downplay the severity of the situation. The alternative – mass graves, forced labor, or other forms of human rights abuse – is significantly more grave.
The accounts of individuals who have vanished from places like Alligator Alcatraz, with no trace and no explanation, contribute to a sense of dread. The families of the “lost” deserve answers, and the absence of any information raises serious red flags.
The question of whether the arrestees are alive is pertinent. If they were simply deported, would families have been notified? The lack of communication, the inability to locate detainees, and the absence of any definitive information cast a long shadow of suspicion.
The idea of “self-deportation” as a tactic employed by ICE, where conditions are made deliberately harsh to encourage people to leave, speaks to a disregard for human dignity and human rights. This, in addition to the claims of being moved around quickly, potentially to block due process, illustrates an erosion of respect for the law.
The fear of being “lost” may be a potent deterrent, causing people to evade the authorities. This fear reinforces the suspicion that the term “lost” is perhaps a euphemism for a far more sinister reality.