Many takes on ICE, immigration

Several readers expressed disapproval of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents being called Gestapo “ICE is nothing like the Gestapo,” Letters, July 22]. Four days later, Newsday published a picture showing the armed and masked men “patrolling” a hallway of the immigration court in New York City [“NY measure would bar masks in raids in NY,” News, July 26].

Former officers each get up to a $50,000 bonus for joining ICE. Do they get more money for each person they nab? They seem to hang out where they can grab people easily, not caring if they grab immigrants, citizens, or children. Immigrants set appointments to check in, following the rules. Does ICE care?

The immigrants are entitled to a court hearing. It is sad to read that they are preparing for their children if they are grabbed [“Immigrants prepare for family separations,” News, July 28].

It is obvious our immigration system needs reform. If people don’t like these agents being called Gestapo, come up with a better name, but they sure seem to be acting like thugs.

— Rita Hocheiser, Long Beach

Defending ICE as nothing like the Gestapo ignores and glosses over the similarities of their tactics, which have not been used in modern U.S. law enforcement until this administration.

While “Gestapo tactics” may be figurative to describe the oppressive, secretive use of government power, what would you call the arrest and detention of people without due process; flying defendants to Third World countries; defying court authority and judicial orders; and, under the deceit of protecting agents, have them wear masks to avoid identification and accountability?

Recognizing historical parallels can be an uncomfortable but necessary start.

— Don Pfeifer, West Hempstead

If ICE doesn’t like being compared to the Gestapo, stop acting like it. Despite a reader’s assertion to the contrary, people are being “disappeared,” moved around so lawyers can’t represent them.

People are being kept in conditions that, if they were dogs, ICE would be arrested for animal cruelty. These immigrants deserve due process and to be treated with dignity, not cruelty.

— Michael Wilson, Holbrook

Why do so many Newsday articles about immigrants entering our country illegally focus on their fears and anxiety? Would Newsday focus on those emotions when reporting on a bank robber?

Many immigrants likely knew they were breaking our laws with their border crossings, skipping asylum interviews, or visa overstays.

Many Newsday readers are hardworking, law-abiding citizens who want to feel good about their country, that they live in a law-abiding country.

For those who say we should be more compassionate, I say that compassion has already been built into our immigration laws. We are a compassionate country, and our laws provide citizens of other countries a chance to come here and seek refuge under our asylum laws.

My position on this topic stems from it being an unsolved issue for decades. Therefore, either immigrants should all become citizens or all be deported. The majority of voters last year supported mass deportation. Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama also prioritized deportation.

If presenting stories in an emotional way is meant to persuade readers, these articles should appear on the opinion pages, not on the news pages.

— Robert Lehmann, Kings Park

Those of us unaffected by current events become apathetic to immigrants. If migrant farmworkers or food service employees aren’t essential to one’s livelihood, people tend not to think about them. If political leaders tell you to beware of a criminal element, you’ll be leery of any such “different” person crossing your path.

This administration apparently has declared war on anyone, regardless of legal status, who doesn’t fit its description of “American.” If you’re born in a foreign country and come here seeking a better life, you’d better be educated, self-sufficient, and preferably white.

Those who are ignoring what is happening daily are collectively destroying the American dream that was so magnificently written into a Constitution being trampled on.

We the people must not be silent. It’s time to wake up and stop this madness.

— Michael Zisner, Bethpage

Towns across Long Island have made bold statements about how they will stand up to ICE and by extension President Donald Trump, in order to protect their communities and preserve diversity. How much did we care for these people to begin with? They’re here because we pay many of them low wages.

While we pretended nothing was wrong, others took notice of this hypocrisy, and when this administration took over, it was only a matter of time before they decided to solve this for us.

— Mackenzie Hudson, Southold

If we are not outraged by the detaining of immigrants, rounding up hundreds of people daily and throwing them into detention centers without due process, then it will only be a matter of time that our own freedoms will be attacked.

— Pat DiSalvo, Copiague