8 Comments
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Sandra Vandenbrink's avatar

I always trust and appreciate your reporting! Thanks

Allen Baldwin's avatar

Why do you say ICE refused to work with local LEO? It seems pretty clear the Gov and mayor laid down the law against working with ICE. This surprisingly all sounds a bit MSM though I would never expect that from you. It is puzzling indeed.

Mindy Belz's avatar

Allen, sorry I didn't respond sooner. I'd say 'refused' for two reasons: ICE has refused to open an investigation into the killing of Renee Good. While the officer who shot her is under the jurisdiction of ICE, the killing happened within the jurisdiction of local law enforcement. That's why typically there would be an investigation involving all levels, with ICE (or FBI in some cases) taking precedence. An explainer by a former DOJ prosecutor is helpful on the granular details:

https://www.justsecurity.org/129439/investigation-ice-jonathan-ross-renee-good/

#2 because ICE has not informed local law enforcement of its planned actions or targeted neighborhoods, which would be standard procedure for federal agents entering local jurisdictions. As recently as today, ICE and DHS refused to respond when local law enforcement brought a formal complaint about ICE tactics, i.e., using force to enter homes and cars, block-tackling residents, etc.

It seems to me differences of opinion and ques arise over the category of these activities as "criminal immigration enforcement." Most Americans will concede and get out of the way for law enforcement officers when they are apprehending criminals. But according to DHS's own statistics, the overwhelming number of ICE apprehensions are non-criminals ... 73% according to a Cato breakdown of ICE stats. Local residents are justifiably upset to see law-abiding residents treated so violently, and I will venture you and I would be too if they were our neighbors. I am, always, happy to discuss more offline.

Murray James's avatar

"Most Americans will concede and get out of the way for law enforcement officers when they are apprehending criminals." is a stretch, assuming "most" people would know if a given person is a criminal or not. If you know who is and is not a criminal, are you reporting those who are to local authorities now?

Allen Baldwin's avatar

Are not all Illegal aliens technically criminals?

Allen Baldwin's avatar

Local authorities have made it very clear that they oppose and not only will not cooperate but will overtly oppose the legal work of ice. There much of these comments seem moot.

Russell Board's avatar

What do you think of Wolf Hall? It’s been on my reading list.

Mindy Belz's avatar

Will let you know! It's riveting so far. And, oddly relevant. Have you read it?