Over the last few weeks, controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s #MuslimBan has increased tensions across the globe. Thankfully, a federal judge restored a little bit of hope back into the country, after ruling to temporarily block the ban. Although Trump fired back, appealing the judge’s order, the appeals court held up the initial ruling, allowing refugees and documented immigrants back into the country. However, it appears Trump’s deportation influence has sparked a new issue.
According to the Daily Beast, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have arrested nearly 200 undocumented immigrants in the Los Angeles area, calling it an “enforcement surge.” As a result, Ice officials, the White House and members of the Congress have provided conflicting stories, with the officials claiming the mass arrests to be routine or protocol, while Congress and protesters label the arrests as a major shift in enforcement.
“The muscle to do this kind of stuff is here – it’s just that the leash has been taken off,” immigration attorney, Sarah Owings, in Atlanta said. According to reports, the increased presence of ICE officials and their behaviors have spiked across the country, in several major cities including Atlanta. “They’re out and they’re hunting,” she said.
A spokesperson for the enforcement agency released a statement, denouncing the described horror of the Los Angeles arrests.
“The rash of recent reports about purported ICE checkpoints and random sweeps are false, dangerous and irresponsible,” the statement read. Despite Owings providing details about similar situations going on in Georgia. She said she knew of two apartments that were filled with Latino residents in the area, where the officials went to each door looking for specific people. Owings said, the ICE enforcers ordered everyone in the residence to provide proof of legal residency.
“These reports create panic and put communities and law enforcement personnel in unnecessary danger,” the statement continued. “Individuals who falsely report such activities are doing a disservice to those they claim to support.”
On the other hand, protesters, lawyers and immigration activist believe this “enforcement surge” is directly related to Trump’s loss to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. However, the White House maintains the arrests are normal.
“This is a level of intimidation that seems new,” said Bob Libal of Grassroots Leadership, a group in Austin that works against the detention and deportation of immigrants. “And our community is not going to be intimidated. It very much feels retaliatory. It feels like a vicious attack.”
While, some Congress members confirm there were ICE raids and arrests during Obama’s presidency, it was not nearly as many affected across the country, in so many cities at the same time. Now, they fear this new enforcement will be the new normal for Trump and ICE officials.
“Until the beds are full,” Owings said.
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