On Thursday, Democrats held another shadow hearing about President Trump’s immigration enforcement operations and the impact they are having on communities. One of the major topics of contention is how the administration is blurring the lines between federal and state law enforcement powers and how those powers will inevitably be used against U.S. citizens. Many conversations are being had about the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) surveillance powers over the general public, but it has not yet become a national conversation.
The speakers at the shadow hearing included Naureen Shah from the American Civil Linberties Union (ACLU), Jesse Franzblau, Associate Director of Policy, National Immigrant Justice Center, Rev. David Black, Senior Pastor and Head of Staff, First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, James Brown, a private citizen, military veteran, and husband of Mrs. Donna Hughes Brown, a detained Legal Permanent Resident, Dr. Minal Giri, General Pediatrician and Founder & Executive Director of the Midwest Human Rights Consortium, and Dr. Alan Shapiro, Senior Medical Director & Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Bronx Health Collective, Montefiore Medical Center and Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Terra Firma National: Healthcare and Justice for Immigrant Children.
The full 2-hour hearing can be watched here. Transcripts of opening testimonies by each participant can be found here. I will highlight a few clips and quotes below.
Shah answered questions early, highlighting how easily the White House’s policies are being implemented, largely based on existing powers, how the administration is exceeding those powers, and how they will inevitably impact U.S. citizens in a much broader way than they are already being implemented. Her opening testimony was a stark reminder of the situation.
“In immigration enforcement street arrests and detention sites, we already see that the administration is intentionally blurring the lines of law and accountability that limit federal law enforcement, the military, and state and local police to their proper roles,” said Shah. “The legal and ethical constraints that govern each of the law enforcement agencies involved, as well as the military, are critically important.”
Rev. David Black also answered questions early. Black was shot in the head with a pepper ball outside the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Chicago while conducting a prayer. His opening testimony exposed the White House’s utter disregard for people’s faith, unless, of course, they’re white Christian nationalists, as I have documented quite thoroughly.
“I fear that, should I protest, pray, and minister at Broadview, I will be met with violent retaliation, said Rev. Black in his opening statement. “Given the unprovoked escalations of ICE agents against me and other peaceful protesters, I also fear that their supervising officers will not deter them from using deadly force against protesters. The memory of what happened to me sometimes provokes a physical reaction. I believe that I was targeted in this moment because of my ministry, not despite it,” continued Rev. Black. “Nonetheless, my faith strongly calls me to return, even in the face of my fear. My Bible tells me to not be afraid and to step out beyond the face of fear. I feel like it’s my obligation to be back in solidarity with those who are protesting and in ministry towards those who are inside the facility and ICE officers as well.”
Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA-2) from New Orleans spoke up about the incoming occupation of the city by federal authorities participating in ICE’s lawless operations under the guise of immigration enforcement. He highlighted how these actions betray the trust of local law enforcement and put agreements between the two at risk. He also mentions how the White House’s actions are creating tensions between the public and law enforcement.
Rep. Carter asked Shah about what New Orleanians can do to prepare based on what she’s seen from the federal government weaponizing federal agencies and the military. She spoke about the Trump administration’s motivations and how federal agents have been moved off of criminal investigations to focus on enforcing civil laws against immigrants and citizens alike.
Rep. Luis Correa (D-CA-46) then asked James Brown about his wife being detained by ICE despite being a Legal Permanent Resident. His story echoes that of many other families, mixed status or otherwise, being torn apart by a rampantly unrestrained federal law enforcement agency is harrowing. Rep. Correa then emphasized the importance of not normalizing what’s happening.
“The reason I am standing before you today is to plead for your support in the release of my loving wife,” said Brown in his opening statement. “The Department of Homeland Security illegally changed her status from Legal Permanent Resident Alien to an ‘Arriving Alien’ upon entering Chicago, and cannot tell us why. According to USCIS (which is who issues the green cards), Donna is still a Legal Permanent Resident Alien lawfully able to live in America freely,” continued Brown. “DHS is also claiming that Donna is a “flight risk” for fleeing the country when she has literally left the country twice in the last 20 years. Her family means everything to her, and this is where her kids and grandkids, and myself are. The stress this situation has caused our family, thinking about her possibly being deported, is unimaginable.”
Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL-3) spoke openly about the harm the ICE raids are doing, showing video clips of various actions that have harmed children and unsuspecting victims. She also discussed how the lawlessness is impacting individuals and terrorizing communities. Ramirez, known for not pulling punches, called for the defunding of ICE, largely based on the recent explosion in funding passed by Congress.
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These hearings need to be a daily occurrence
About fucking time!