Whereas Massachusetts political leaders have been bracing for a doable surge in ICE enforcement right here, the company’s actions this week in Maine supply a glimpse into what the Bay State’s response may very well be, and its messaging.
The Division of Homeland Safety mentioned that fifty individuals have been arrested to this point in Maine by immigration officers.
The surge, referred to as “Operation Catch of the Day,” started on Tuesday, DHS officers informed NewsNation, The Hill’s sister community. DHS mentioned the alleged unlawful immigrants arrested to this point embrace individuals convicted of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a kid.
Right here is the issue with the “ICE Out” stance. Those that slam the company omit the crimes with which unlawful immigrants caught up in such sweeps are charged.
As a substitute, all unlawful immigrants are a part of the “group” and want safety. Particularly from the liberals’ nemesis, Donald Trump.
“To the individuals of Maine: I do know you care deeply about defending your neighbors, as do I,” Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) mentioned in an on-camera assertion final week forward of the ICE actions. “And I do know that lots of you’re indignant concerning the potential for any enhanced federal regulation enforcement presence in Maine. I really feel that too.”
“But when they arrive right here, I would like any federal brokers — and the president of the US — to know what this state stands for. We stand for the rule of regulation. We oppose violence. We stand for peaceable protest,” Mills continued. “We stand for compassion, for integrity and justice.”
There’s tons to unpack right here. Why would Mainers need to shield individuals convicted of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a kid?
Because the Herald reported, immigration brokers in Boston arrested a former skilled baseball participant final week needed for alleged fentanyl trafficking, who can be an unlawful immigrant from the Dominican Republic.
ICE Boston arrested Juan Miguel Castillo, whose violent legal historical past contains a number of counts of assault and battery and quite a few narcotics trafficking prices. Castillo was additionally a part of “the group,” simply the half progressives don’t speak about.
“We stand for the rule of regulation.” That was one other flag in Mills’ assertion. Apparently, Maine does stand for the regulation, simply not legal guidelines it doesn’t like.
The Immigration and Nationality Act, enacted in 1952, kinds the fundamental construction of immigration regulation — who can enter the U.S., keep right here, change into a citizen and so forth. How one can “stand for the rule of regulation” and in addition brazenly flout the enforcement of it’s a marvel of political gymnastics.
As we’ve discovered, Massachusetts has hosted unlawful immigrants later charged with drug trafficking, assault, and intercourse offenses amongst different crimes. It’s uncertain that “the group” misses being victimized by them.
We wish immigrants in America, and for them to achieve citizenship. We help laws such because the bipartisan Dignity Act, which might create a long-term authorized standing permitting most undocumented immigrants with out a legal file to stay within the U.S.
However unlawful immigrants who commit crimes? They haven’t any place right here.
