By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Ecuador’s Foreign Minister lodged a formal protest with the U.S. Embassy in response to an attempted unauthorized entry by ICE agents into the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis. Video footage captured the incident, showing consulate staff barring the agents’ entry while citing international law protecting consulates from such intrusions. The Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly activated emergency protocols and issued a “note of protest” to prevent similar occurrences at other consulates. U.S. authorities, including the State Department and ICE, have yet to respond to the incident, but a city council member has reassured the Ecuadorian community of their safety.
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ICE agents blocked from attempting to enter Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis without permission is the core of this whole thing, and honestly, it’s just mind-boggling. I mean, let’s break this down. Why, in the world, would anyone think they could just waltz into a consulate, which is essentially Ecuadorian territory, without permission? It’s like, did they even think about what they were doing? Maybe they were looking for someone or trying to do something related to deporting Ecuadorians. But, still, the very idea of it is just beyond me.
Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if ICE hires people who are, to put it mildly, not the sharpest tools in the shed. I mean, the comment about “ICE hires the dumbest dipshits on the planet” is pretty harsh, but, given the circumstances, you can understand where that sentiment comes from. It’s like they think they’re above the law, even international laws. If the US expects other countries to respect its consulates, it has to do the same. Simple as that. It’s not rocket science. It’s basic respect for other nations.
The audacity of it all! The whole situation smacks of arrogance. It’s like, “We’re ICE, we can do whatever we want.” The comment about the headline being “ICE attempted to invade Ecuador” perfectly encapsulates the gravity of the situation. They were trying to invade, plain and simple. And right after a big change in management too. Really not the best timing for something like this. What an embarrassment, a complete and utter embarrassment.
And the utter stupidity of it all is just staggering. These guys didn’t have passports, didn’t have permission, they are trying to enter a country’s embassy! You can’t just go barging into a consulate thinking it’s open season. I mean, do they not know that they’re on Ecuadorian soil? It’s like they think they’re playing a video game. And the thought of a warrant signed off by a “judge”? You’ve got to have something to back up the attempt, at least on paper! It makes you wonder what kind of training they get if they’re even getting any at all.
This is the kind of thing that makes you question the competence of the people in charge. ICE seems to be out of control. It seems like the agency is actively searching for the lowest of low-hanging fruit. And if they’re willing to do this kind of thing, what else are they willing to do? It’s a scary thought.
They say it’s safe to come to the consulate, but it is not safe on the outside. But it’s safe *inside*, and that’s the only place they matter. The comment about “International Incident enters the discussion” nails it. It’s absolutely an international incident. The idea that these agents don’t have a basic understanding of international law is pretty damning. Didn’t they cover “diplomatic immunity” in those 47 days of training? Maybe they were on a coffee break that day.
You can’t expect the border patrol to know border laws, that would be silly. The mention of “invading sovereign soil” is right on the money. It’s essentially invading another country. Are we in a video game simulation? Or are they trying to hit quotas? And what were they looking for? Were they looking for Julian Assange, or maybe the next hot item? The point is, whatever they were trying to do, it was probably illegal. And it’s a huge problem.
And then there’s the whole issue of power and accountability. Where is the accountability in this whole thing? Did they just get a slap on the wrist? Do you think these people have more than a working fifth-grade education? The sentiment that Donald Trump and the Republican regime are “actively wiping their asses with the U.S. Constitution” might be an exaggeration, but, it hits home with the frustration many people feel. And that’s the real problem here.
The sad part is that they’re probably being given a badge and a gun with no real training, then just told to do whatever they want. It really makes you wonder if anyone in this situation understands anything about international diplomacy.
The point of all this isn’t to say that all ICE agents are incompetent. It’s about highlighting the utter lack of respect for international law and basic human decency. The fact that this even happened is something we all need to be concerned about. It’s a reminder that we need to hold our government accountable, regardless of which party is in power.