People affected in more ways than one

ICE, or the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is a law enforcement agency that focuses on enforcement on United States immigration, preventing illegal immigration, and protection from possible terroristic threats. Founded in March of 2003, the agency was created as part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which was passed following the September 11 Attacks, dedicated to preventing future vulnerability regarding terrorism. The agency’s main focuses are detaining and deporting immigrants who are unauthorized to be in the United States, investigating suspicious immigrant activity, and convicting unauthorized immigrants. 

Over the past few months, multiple controversies have sparked in regards to the agency’s numerous deportations across the United States. ICE’s budget and authority have been directly increased through Trump’s influence, giving the agency more power to implement stricter immigrant enforcement and detention.  Concerns have been raised regarding immigrant detainee’s safety, reportedly from infamous detention centers such as the South Florida Detention Center, also known as Alligator Alcatraz, sparking dispute regarding inhumane treatment of detainees. There have been other events of concern towards immigrants’ treatment, including unhygienic and unsafe conditions, lack of proper medical assistance, abuse, and deaths. 

ICE’s impact on United States citizens, particularly minorities such as people of Hispanic and Black descent, has led to fear, concern, and other feelings of distrust among these communities to grow. As a result, there have been multiple protests across the country, advocating against mass incarceration and deportation, as well as against ICE. Notorious examples are the Los Angeles Protests that happened from June 6 to July 15 earlier this year, which had originated from ICE agents mass arresting immigrants suspected of being illegal from multiple city locations, and expanded from crowds gathering into citizens protesting and confronting police officers in riot gear. 

There have also been several effects on the youth of America, with family members of immigrants who have been deported or are at risk of being deported having financial difficulties, emotional instability in families, and stress. Absenteeism from students has a negative impact on school performance and attendance, as well as grades decreasing, academic stress, and deportation anxiety. 

Many citizens in the United States are being impacted by ICE. There have been significant economical impacts, including the increase in labor shortages from immigrant workers in multiple industries being deported, severely impacting the work force, which directly affects prices for consumers, increasing expenses. Family separation and lack of trust in law enforcement are other examples of how citizens are possibly impacted. Legal concerns are also included, with questions regarding unlawful detainment and unreasonable enforcement being raised.

Civilians are concerned about current events happening in the United States that have directly impacted them in different ways. With controversies surrounding the treatment of immigrants, families being affected, the impacts on the economy, and the agency’s influence on the public, there are individuals that are continuing to advocate against ICE, and protection for the rights of immigrants in the United States.