Different feelings on ICE raids, deportations

I cried reading the newspaper. I was embarrassed at first but realized I had no reason to be embarrassed. A government that mercilessly separates mothers and fathers from their children should be embarrassed. The Trump administration should be ashamed.

The story that evoked this tearful response was the account of Nuvia Yessenia Martinez Ventura, the mother of five detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement when she reported for her immigration check-in in Manhattan and is now awaiting deportation to El Salvador [“LI mom of 5 held by ICE, being deported: lawyer,” News, June 17].

Tragically, over the past several weeks, hundreds, perhaps thousands, of families have been suffering similar fates. This is now common practice across the United States — traumatizing families, traumatizing children. This makes my heart hurt.

Martinez Ventura is not a threat to our national security, not a violent criminal, not a gang member, and does not have a criminal record. While her story makes my heart hurt, regretfully, there apparently are hundreds of Nuvias in ICE detention centers across the country. Enough already.

How is anyone OK with this? Is this what we’ve become — inhumane and depraved? Kindness must prevail over cruelty.

— Carolyn Faggioni, Bellmore

While I feel bad for the predicament that Fernando Mejia has found himself in, I must point out that the bagel store owner might take some of the blame [“Uproar as ICE take a bagel store manager,” News, June 18].

Every U.S. employer is required by law to fill out a Form I-9 from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for each new hire. New hires are required to present legal documentation to prove their identity and that they are eligible to work in the United States.

As a retired business owner, I had every one of my employees fill out this form. Due to the nature of my business — home care for the elderly — there were many undocumented individuals who would inquire about employment at my business. While I am sure they were well qualified to do the work required, I had to turn them away. I refused to put myself or my employees in danger of breaking any laws.

— Roseann Niczky, Bethpage

I was saddened by the letter “Perfect environment for self-deportation” [Opinion, June 12].

Immigrants living in the country without legal permission were portrayed as freeloaders who should take advantage of President Donald Trump’s $1,000 self-deportation incentive.

Contrary to what was said, The Center for Migration Studies stated in 2022 that there were approximately 8.3 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. workforce. These jobs included food services, construction, landscaping, health care, and agriculture, among others.

It noted that unauthorized immigrants contribute billions of dollars annually in income, federal, state and local taxes. They also contribute billions of dollars annually to Social Security but are ineligible to claim benefits because they cannot legally obtain a Social Security number.

I am an advocate for fair and reasonable immigration reform. During Trump’s first presidency, a comprehensive border bill stalled in the House. During former President Joe Biden’s term, a new bipartisan comprehensive border bill was going to be passed, but Trump told Republicans not to pass it as he wanted to make immigration an election issue.

Demonizing undocumented migrants as a burden and without worth is untrue and unfair.

— Carol Krupinski, Plainview

Some readers pointed out that even those undocumented immigrants who have no criminal records have broken the law by being here undocumented [“Fiery reactions to events in LA,” Letters, June 13]. The courts have affirmed that the government has the constitutional authority to carry out this removal policy. But to be within the law is not to be right. And nothing on God’s earth can ever make what we are doing right. It is immoral.

If we don’t stop what is happening in our country, we will be cursed among the world’s nations for a generation. Stop it. Disobedience of an immoral order is a moral obligation.

— Kenneth Cusick, Bayside, Queens

It seems like almost every day Newsday prints an article about the plight of a person who entered this country illegally being subjected to arrest and deportation. Nowhere is it noted that former President Joe Biden allowed millions of people into our country illegally.

Like it or not, Donald Trump was elected on reversing those numbers. While it would be heartwarming to evaluate each case, the sheer numbers make that impossible. Yes, decent, law-abiding people who came here illegally are subject to removal.

— Anthony Bordano, Middle Village, Queens

Deportation is the ultimate punishment for immigrants who entered the country illegally and should be applied only for those coming here with prior or current criminal records.

Deporting anyone for arriving in our country illegally is like executing someone for a traffic violation. Deportation is extremely expensive and adds to our national debt.

Let those convicted of illegal entry after due process pay fines or be required to perform community service, and require them to apply for citizenship.

Surely, reasonable consequences can be found rather than the draconian cruelties that are currently being applied.

— Dave Setteducati, Smithtown