By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The death of Alex Pretti, following another killing by an ICE officer, has shifted the political landscape surrounding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Senate Democrats are now pushing to restrain, reform, and restrict ICE, with some calling for a dismantling of the agency due to a growing public disapproval. Proposed reforms include requiring warrants for immigration arrests, ending “street sweeps,” and restricting ICE operations in schools and churches. These actions are a departure from previous reluctance to challenge federal law enforcement, potentially impacting the funding bill for DHS and presenting an opportunity to address the underlying issues of immigration policy.
Read the original article here
The time for Democrats to start dismantling ICE is now. It’s a sentiment echoing with a sense of urgency, a belief that the situation demands immediate action. The frustration is palpable, a feeling that the current state of affairs isn’t just undesirable but deeply troubling. It’s a call to action, a demand for change that recognizes the urgency of the moment.
The problem, as many see it, is that the current approach isn’t working. Talking about defunding or limiting the budget is not the aggressive stance that is needed. The argument goes that the very existence of ICE is the problem, that it has become an instrument of state-sponsored terrorism, attacking democracy and civil rights under the guise of immigration enforcement. There is a sense of betrayal that the current candidates are not committed to dismantling ICE in the past, or even taking steps to ensure the policy will happen. The belief is that if Democrats were in control, the process could start. How? It’s not clear. They don’t have control of any branch of government.
The roadblocks are undeniable. The power structure is heavily tilted against such a move. With the House and Senate under GOP control and a conservative-leaning Supreme Court, the path to dismantling ICE is strewn with obstacles. Democrats can’t even get things started, since they don’t even control the situation. Attempts to shut down the government, which they don’t even have the power to do, will only lead to more negative consequences. It is seen as a ridiculous expectation to place upon Democrats, since they have no legal control to do so, while also blaming them for the situation.
There’s cynicism, too. The view is that those in power are not being transparent. The fear of voter information being taken, the idea of purged voter roles, and even the threat of concentration camps and militias all add to a sense of foreboding. The argument becomes that Democrats are being set up to fail, that they are expected to fix something they cannot, and that the whole thing is a smoke screen. The core issue of actually dismantling ICE is buried in all of the other issues.
The solutions are as complex as the problems. The idea of defunding the DHS, while not a solution, is a first step. There’s a call for the public to rally and demand action from those in power. A belief that it’s all a conspiracy, a diversion from real issues, is present. But there’s also the stark reality that Democrats can’t do anything because they are not in power.
The path forward is unclear, especially when those in power are seen as being in the pockets of billionaires. The belief is the only path forward is to get the voters to show up and vote for Democrats. And even if they did, the election cheating is so prevalent that it doesn’t matter. It’s a call to action, a demand for change. Even in the face of what might seem like insurmountable odds, the conviction remains.
And yet, despite it all, the message is clear. It’s not just about what the Democrats should do, but what Americans as a whole must strive for. The time to dismantle ICE, to fight for change, is now. Even in the face of political realities, the drive to change is a sentiment that can’t be quelled.