The fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis on January 7 is a tragedy and the most dire outcome of unchecked authority.
ICE continues to operate outside the bounds of law, and in doing so, creates immense fear and danger in our communities. We hear from our refugee and immigrant clients every week that they are afraid to go to work, take their children to school, or attend doctors’ appointments. Last year, our organization provided support to more than 12,000 new arrivals. These are brave, resilient individuals who endured difficult journeys to come to the U.S. through legal pathways. They willingly provided their information to the U.S. government and have done everything they can to both comply with our nation’s increasingly complex immigration laws and to become contributing members of our communities. Yet ICE’s actions make clear that this does not guarantee their safety or fair treatment.
ICE’s actions also erode the very trust our organization, our communities, and our local police work to build with newcomers. As part of cultural orientation, we teach new arrivals about U.S. laws and the important role of the officials who have been sworn to uphold them. Now, these lessons ring hollow as the federal government continues to target refugees and immigrants and those who welcome and support them. Furthermore, ICE’s violent act undermines the very principles of justice and due process that define our nation.
We call on our leaders to hold those responsible for this tragedy accountable, restore trust in our institutions, and ensure that all members of our communities are treated with dignity and fairness.
