ICE raids advance throughout the country
Shortly after his inauguration, President Trump’s administration changed the federal policy on immigration, reversing one that had been in effect since 2011. This policy reversal made it legal for the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] to make arrests in churches, hospitals and schools. The Department of Homeland Security spoke on this policy, stating that “the Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.” Following the policy shift, ICE has intensified its operations nationwide. These actions triggered widespread fear, with reports indicating that ICE agents have been going door to door and detaining individuals who are in difficult circumstances with the deportation system.
In Ventura County, there have been numerous ICE agents and vans spotted, and active officers in Oxnard reportedly making arrests, according to the Ventura County Star. On Jan. 30, Congresswoman Julia Brownley [D-CA] sent a letter to the Acting Homeland Security and Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director, demanding answers about recent U.S. ICE operations conducted in Ventura County. These operations, which took place in Oxnard and Santa Paula, have sparked anxiety and raised concerns about the agency’s tactics and respect for due process. Many have commented on a strict divide between the ethical and moral practices of ICE officers stationed outside of protected buildings like hospitals, schools and churches. Schools and places of worship were designated as off-limits, along with hospitals, funerals, weddings and public demonstrations.
Protests in Colorado have been rampant since the ICE raids in Denver last weekend. With about 155,000 undocumented immigrants in Colorado fearing for their safety, local residents have rallied to show their support in a variety of ways. Protests have sparked not only in Colorado but in CVUSD, with protesters across freeway overpasses, and school walk-outs.
NBC News reported a total of 1,179 ICE arrests on Jan. 26th alone in the U.S., with only 52 percent of these arrests considered criminal charges, giving insight into the percentage differences between ICE arrests for criminal charges and noncriminal offenses. Within the first week after the Trump Administration policy change, there were a reported 5,500 arrests by U.S. customs officers. These growing arrest statistics are leaving multitudes of Americans in fear.
Since the new policy was put in place, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have been debating the purpose of ICE raids, as well as documenting their appearances around different communities in the U.S.. The protesters in Colorado share their voices on these platforms, with “Immigrants built America” now trending across platforms. Other users are abusing the ICE raids, claiming they are using social media for the wrong reasons. Since Trump’s inauguration there have been many changes to the political landscape across the U.S. and ICE raids are only the beginning of new policies being enforced.
