The Department of Homeland Security has escalated its clash with so-called sanctuary states this week, warning California, New York, and Illinois in letters obtained by CBS News that refusal to honor immigration detainers could trigger federal legal action.
In letters dated Sept. 10, Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons ordered the attorneys general of the three states to declare within two days whether they would comply with “thousands of ICE detainers” lodged against individuals in state custody, according to DHS. Immigration detainers are formal requests by ICE asking local jails and prisons to notify the agency before releasing an individual, and to hold them briefly so federal agents can take undocumented migrants into federal custody.
While hating ICE as much as the next commenter… What if we did?
Seriously, bringing the state into the mix could establish proper paper trails, log activity, ensure access to legal representation, verify warrants, and uphold laws so frequently violated by Trump’s Gestapo.
Sort of a malicious compliance thing if the Fed is twisting your arm.
The second they’re in custody of ICE they virtually disappear. At best it reinforces the narrative that these aren’t hardened criminals being picked up, but anyone with half a brain already knew that.
I think there’s a movie about that. Schindler’s List I think.
I haven’t actually watched it though so I’m not sure.
I like this. Agent names, chain of custody, evidence locker, mandatory body cams, the works.
The problem is many local budgets are strapped for cash, they’d have to ignore services they actually need to do in order to implement something like this.