San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera condemned the presence of ICE agents in his district, posting a picture of them on Instagram labeled “Terrorists.” He cited concerns about heavily armed agents conducting raids in residential areas, targeting individuals in schools, courthouses, and workplaces. This prompted a strong rebuke from Stephen Miller, who accused Elo-Rivera of supporting “left-wing domestic terrorism.” The incident highlights the ongoing and highly polarized public debate surrounding ICE’s role and tactics.
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High-profile figures drastically inflate the number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., despite the actual figure being around 11 million. Studies show undocumented immigrants have lower crime rates than U.S.-born citizens and legal immigrants. The Trump administration’s attempts at mass deportations have fallen far short of stated goals, leading to frustration and pressure on ICE agents to increase arrests. This has resulted in the targeting of low-hanging fruit and the dissemination of misinformation about the criminality of deported individuals.
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Stephen Miller, a known immigration hardliner, berated Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials for insufficient deportations during a May 21 meeting. He demanded a tripling of arrests, reportedly threatening the jobs of those who failed to comply. This occurred despite the current administration’s deportation rate mirroring that of the Biden administration, falling short of Trump’s campaign promises. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, also present, adopted a more conciliatory approach.
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Federal agents are conducting mass arrests of immigrants outside immigration courtrooms across the US, immediately following hearings. These arrests, part of the Trump administration’s accelerated deportation agenda, target individuals with minimal or no criminal history, even those legally present or granted asylum. The American Immigration Lawyers Association condemns these actions as a violation of due process and basic fairness, arguing that the courts are being weaponized to expedite deportations. This strategy utilizes expedited removal processes, bypassing judicial hearings for those in the country less than two years, causing widespread concern about the erosion of legal protections.
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Following a mistaken traffic stop, 19-year-old undocumented college student Ximena Arias Cristobal was detained by ICE after being arrested by a Dalton, Georgia police officer who has since resigned. Dashcam footage revealed the officer wrongly identified her vehicle, leading to the dismissal of traffic charges. Arias Cristobal, who had been in ICE custody since early May, was released on bond after an immigration judge’s ruling. Both she and her father, also detained by ICE following a separate traffic stop, face ongoing deportation proceedings.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents forcibly detained Leonardo García Venegas, a 25-year-old U.S. citizen, at his Alabama construction job, claiming his identification was fraudulent. Video footage shows the arrest, with agents also detaining other workers, including Venegas’ undocumented brother. Venegas, who maintains he was born in Florida, was released hours later, but returned to find several colleagues still detained. This incident follows previous reports of U.S. citizens mistakenly detained by ICE.
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Federal immigration authorities conducted arrests at a Phoenix immigration court, with one attorney describing the scene as chaotic and individuals being detained despite seemingly dismissed cases. ICE declined to comment on the ongoing operation, citing safety concerns for personnel. The arrests follow a DHS directive reversing restrictions on courthouse arrests, potentially signaling a shift towards broader enforcement regardless of criminal history. Attorneys reported clients, including one seeking asylum, were apprehended immediately following hearings.
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In Worcester, Massachusetts, the arrest of Brazilian national Rosane Ferreira De Oliveira by ICE agents sparked a public outcry and a protest. Worcester Police Chief Saucier and City Manager Batista released bodycam footage showing the chaotic scene and subsequent arrest of Oliveira’s daughter, who attempted to intervene. Batista issued an executive order prohibiting local police from participating in immigration enforcement except to ensure officer safety. While the city acknowledged the distress caused, it emphasized its inability to interfere with federal detainment, and the court will soon decide on the daughter’s case.
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Following a federal immigration operation in Waltham, Massachusetts, a 13-year-old boy was reportedly left unattended on a street after ICE agents arrested the adult he was with. While DHS claims the child’s parent was notified and declined to collect him, a city councilor disputes this, stating the officers left the child without assistance, prompting concerns about the agency’s handling of minors during such operations. This incident follows other recent reports of aggressive ICE enforcement actions in the area, leading to community outcry and accusations of heavy-handed tactics. The incident is part of a broader pattern of increased immigration enforcement under the current administration.
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Kid Rock’s Big A– Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse, along with other Nashville restaurants, temporarily closed on Saturday due to ICE raids targeting undocumented workers. The closures resulted from a significant number of employees failing to appear for work, fearing apprehension. These raids, part of a broader ICE operation in Nashville, led to the detention of 196 individuals, despite claims of targeting only those posing a public safety threat. The incident underscores the reliance of the service industry on undocumented workers.
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John Q. Hosedrinker