By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The New Orleans Police Department is refuting claims of wrongdoing after one of its recruits, Larry Temah, a Cameroonian national with a final order of removal, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The department stated that they verified Temah’s employment eligibility through a federal system and were unaware of ICE’s intention to detain him until his arrest. Officials maintain that New Orleans is not a sanctuary city and that any assertion of the department knowingly violating the law is false. The incident occurs amidst ongoing tensions between New Orleans and federal authorities over immigration enforcement.
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The New Orleans Police Department has stated that a recruit who was recently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had indeed undergone verification through the agency’s own systems. This revelation has naturally sparked a host of questions and concerns, particularly around the effectiveness and transparency of the processes involved. The very idea that someone potentially not authorized to be in the country could make it through multiple layers of vetting, only to be apprehended later by a federal agency, suggests that something is amiss in the interagency communication or the accuracy of the verification tools themselves.
There appears to be a disconnect between what ICE’s systems are supposed to flag and what actually happens. If a recruit is detained by ICE, and prior to that, ICE’s own background check system didn’t raise any red flags or notify relevant authorities, it raises serious doubts about the system’s reliability. This situation is being described by some as a “clown car operation,” implying a level of disorganization and absurdity that is frankly alarming, especially when dealing with law enforcement personnel.
Adding to the complexity and the sense of unease, there are reports of other individuals, specifically county corrections officers in Maine, also being detained by ICE. This pattern, coupled with the New Orleans incident, suggests a broader issue with how ICE is conducting its operations and verifying individuals. It’s a strange paradox, this country founded by immigrants, seemingly taking such severe action against immigrants.
The Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, made a statement emphasizing that “Criminal illegal aliens have no place in our communities — especially on our police forces.” This statement, however, has been met with skepticism and accusations of being misleading. If the intention is to convey that “illegal aliens” are not acceptable, then questioning why anyone would be considered “fine” if they are an “illegal alien” is a logical follow-up. The implication from some observers is that there might be a racial or ethnic bias at play in ICE’s screening process, where non-white individuals are disproportionately flagged. The fact that this recruit also voted in the last election adds another layer of complexity to the situation, suggesting that his presence and participation in civic life were not immediately viewed as problematic by all systems.
The reliance on facial recognition technology, reportedly developed by Palantir, for verifying citizenship is another point of contention. Critics argue that facial recognition technology is far from infallible, with accuracy rates that are less than 100%. Furthermore, the concern is that even if the technology itself has limitations, there’s a question of whether ICE is even consistently employing these tools with diligence. The accuracy of such technology is also known to be an issue, particularly for individuals with darker skin complexions. When facial recognition systems are known to struggle with identifying people of color accurately, relying on them for such a critical function as citizenship verification becomes even more problematic.
A 2021 review by the Office of the Inspector General highlighted significant shortcomings in the E-Verify system. This review concluded that until U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services addresses these deficiencies, the system cannot guarantee accurate employment eligibility results. The fact that E-Verify doesn’t consistently notify of visa changes or expirations, and often lacks photos, further weakens its credibility as a foolproof verification tool. This paints a picture of a system that is perhaps not as robust or comprehensive as it needs to be.
The commentary suggests a perception that ICE operates with a sense of impunity, viewing itself as being above existing laws. The idea of a “hierarchy” where federal agencies like ICE are seen as being “above all laws” until they are no longer convenient or necessary for the powers that be, is a concerning notion. This dynamic, described as “fascism playbook,” implies a system where power dictates adherence to rules, rather than the other way around. The current administration is even being characterized by some as “imperialist racists.”
The historical context of the United States, founded by white colonizers who engaged in centuries of exploitation and violence against non-white indigenous populations, is frequently brought up in these discussions. This historical lens often informs the current perceptions of immigration policies and enforcement. When an individual is labeled an “illegal alien,” it’s by definition a criminal classification. However, the focus then shifts to the methods used for apprehension and the overall system’s fairness.
Some argue that focusing on broad statements like “no one is illegal on stolen lands” can alienate a significant portion of the population. The United States is often perceived as having a relatively open immigration process compared to other countries, making the current situation even more perplexing for some. The issue of illegal immigration is likened to the gun problem in the U.S., where a long-standing failure to enforce laws has created such a critical mass that correcting the problem has become nearly impossible. The idea that the system is so broken that it leads to comparisons with “death camps” and their perceived failings is a stark indictment of the current state of affairs.
The effectiveness of the ICE verification system is called into question when a recruit can pass muster with law enforcement yet be detained by ICE. If a police department is expected to screen individuals to a standard set by the Department of Homeland Security, and yet ICE’s own verification process misses something, it highlights a significant systemic failure. The financial implications are also raised, questioning the cost of improving interagency notification systems versus the personnel budget of ICE.
The notion that ICE might not actually want to enforce immigration control but rather build its own “army” is a cynical but prevalent interpretation for some. The historical context of slavery and emancipation is also brought into these debates, with arguments that the end of slavery was driven more by economic necessity and political expediency than purely moral reasons. The Emancipation Proclamation itself is pointed out as a political maneuver rather than a universal declaration of freedom.
The legality of border crossings is also a point of discussion. While crossing the border illegally is a federal criminal offense, overstaying a visa is generally considered a civil offense. The complexity of these legal distinctions and the varying enforcement of them fuels the debate. The idea that certain counties might have limited polling stations, and that a limited number of ICE agents could disrupt elections in swing districts, further illustrates the concerns about the potential for federal agencies to exert undue influence.
Ultimately, the situation with the New Orleans police recruit detained by ICE, despite being verified through the agency’s own systems, points to a need for greater transparency, improved interagency communication, and a thorough re-evaluation of the effectiveness and accuracy of the verification processes. The questions raised are not just about a single incident but about the integrity and fairness of the entire immigration and law enforcement vetting system. The commentary reflects a deep distrust in the current system and a desire for accountability and reform.