Authorities in a minimum of three states have arrested males for impersonating ICE brokers as a way to harass and assault individuals of coloration.
This comes as “border czar” Tom Homan carries out President Donald Trump’s marketing campaign promise to deport “rapists” and “murderers” in plenty. Social justice teams say that Trump and Homan’s rhetoric sends a message that violence towards the Latinx neighborhood is welcomed.
One of many males arrested is Sean-Michael Johnson of South Carolina who, in disturbing video footage, is seen leaning right into a Hispanic driver’s window saying, “You all got caught!”
“Border czar” Tom Homan
“Where are you from, Mexico? You from Mexico?” Johnson askedbefore yelling, “You’re going back to Mexico!”
Within the clip, Johnson leans over the driving force, grabs the keys, and mocks the driving force’s accent.
The motive force then calls a pal and says in Spanish, “I don’t know man, he’s saying immigration.”
Angrily, Johnson knocks the telephone out of the person’s hand.
“Now, don’t be speaking that pig-Latin in my fucking country!” he says.
“He’s crazy. He’s a racist, man,” a passenger within the automotive says in Spanish.
Johnson was charged with three counts of kidnapping, one rely of impersonating a legislation enforcement officer, one rely of petty larceny, and one rely of assault and battery, per jail information obtained by CNN.
In a court docket look on Feb. 1, Johnson’s household informed the choose that he had psychological well being and alcohol abuse points, and that he has “tried to get help” prior to now however must “continue with that therapy.”
Equally, a Temple College Pupil was arrested for impersonating an ICE agent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In accordance with an announcement, Aidan Steigelmann was performing alongside two pals who’re nonetheless at massive. The three males tried to achieve entry to a college residence constructing—claiming to be ICE brokers and carrying black shirts with “Police” and “ICE” on them—however had been denied entry.
A short while later, the three males had been recognized at Insomnia Cookies, reportedly inflicting some form of disruption, however it’s unclear what their motives had been.
The college known as Steigelmann’s actions “troubling and disappointing” and positioned him on “interim suspension.”
And in Raleigh, North Carolina, Carl Thomas Bennett was accused of impersonating an ICE agent and sexually abusing a lady at a motel.
The warrant says Bennett allegedly threatened to deport the lady if she didn’t have intercourse with him. He additionally reportedly confirmed her some form of card with a badge on it.
Every day Kos contacted ICE spokespeople straight for remark however didn’t hear again.
Within the assertion offered to CNN, an ICE spokesperson stated that the “imposters” who commit “dangerous” crimes akin to these face prison fees on the federal, state, and native ranges.
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and agents are highly trained and dedicated professionals who are sworn to uphold the law, protect the American people and support U.S. national security interests. ICE strongly condemns the impersonation of its officers or agents,” the assertion says.
Panic has been on the rise since Trump’s mass deportations started. Partly, the worry has to do with the brand new in depth freedoms of ICE. Households who as soon as felt secure sending their kids to high school or church now query leaving their properties in any respect.
Moreover, misinformation about ICE raids has been on the rise, with pretend experiences of raids circulating and inflicting panic and confusion all through immigrant communities.
Final weekend, hundreds of individuals throughout the nation joined protests towards ICE. In Los Angeles, the 101 Freeway was shut down as marchers held indicators studying “no one is illegal on stolen land” and “immigrants built America.”
And in Austin, Texas, protesters stuffed the streets Monday evening in opposition to Trump’s mass deportations, with related protests occurring in Chicago, Arizona, Alabama, and elsewhere.
Regardless, Trump and Homan’s racist, xenophobic rhetoric has clearly struck inspiration in some.
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