Immigration Facts of the Week: Growing Presence of the Border Patrol and Their Military Tactics Inside the Country
Get the essential facts about immigration: Border Patrol is deploying inland to support ICE and there are new rapid action forces
As if the violence of ICE in its operations to detain undocumented immigrants weren't enough, the presence of Border Patrol agents inside the country Assisting ICE is alarming.
This is because the agency in charge of operating on the border does so by applying military tactics that, instead of helping, put the safety of individuals and communities at risk.
“It can be observed that the continued focus on increasingly public and militarized immigration enforcement tactics does not benefit either ICE or the cities where these tactics are implemented. It is not good for any of our communities or for our country, and it is not a good immigration control practice,” said Deborah Fleischaker, former acting chief of staff of ICE, reported La Opinion.
And the worst is yet to come, warned the former official, because the so-called great beautiful budget bill guarantees the government $170 billion so that its detention and deportation infrastructure can continue operating even in the midst of the government shutdown.
Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino ordered to submit reports and Recordings
In Chicago, which has been the epicenter of some of the most violent operations, Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino was caught on camera firing tear gas at protesters in the historic Little Village neighborhood.
This prompted Federal Judge Sara Ellis to summon him to review a previous order she had issued prohibiting the use of force against protesters and journalists who do not pose a threat.
Ultimately, the judge ordered Bovino to submit daily reports on his activities in Chicago, reports on the use of force during operations since September 2, including body camera footage from agents. Bovino will also be required to wear his own body camera.
New Rapid Reaction Forces?
It seems the traditional National Guard isn't enough for Trump,and various media outlets have reported on the Pentagon's plans to train National Guard troops in every state to respond to riots.
Who knows what the Trump administration is cooking up, but this is how the Associated Press describes it: “Military leaders have ordered the National Guard in every US state to develop a 'rapid reaction force' of troops trained to deal with civil unrest and riots, ready to deploy with only hours' notice, the latest indication of the Trump administration's long-term plans to more easily send troops into the streets.”
Trump's Offensive Also Makes Life Harder for Immigrants with Work Permits
And Trump's plans aren't limited to intensifying raids and deportations of immigrants. The strategy also aims to make life difficult for authorized immigrants, as the ultimate intention is to deregulate in order to deport them or force them to leave voluntarily. The DHS ended the automatic 540-day extension of work permits, a measure enacted by former Democratic President Joe Biden precisely to prevent the backlog of work permit renewal requests. Prior to the order, work permits were automatically renewed for 180 days.
The president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Jeff Joseph, condemned the order, El Diario reported.
“This measure accelerates layoffs, as employers will have no choice but to dismiss workers. The Trump Administration, once again, does not support American businesses and, in fact, directly harms our nation's economic stability,” Joseph said.
Quote of the week:
“When we think about the 'Midway Blitz' operation that the current regime is pushing, it is really a propaganda campaign disguised as law and order, and it is also a harbinger of what is to come across the country. Chicago is currently the testing ground for these tactics, and they want to criminalize the opposition and punish those who stand up for our neighbors.” Illinois State Representative Hoan Huynh, whose car was surrounded by federal agents at gunpoint while he was surveilling the site of a possible immigration raid. Who knows what the Trump administration is plotting, but this is how the Associated Press describes it: “Military leaders have ordered the National Guard in every US state to develop a 'rapid reaction force' of troops trained to deal with civil unrest and riots, ready to deploy with only hours' notice, the latest indication of the Trump administration's long-term plans to more easily send troops into the streets.”

