ICE, IMMIGRANTS AND MASS TRANSIT

Imagine that.  A politician who keeps his word.

However you feel about our new President, he is doing exactly what he promised he would do… and quickly.  He is fulfilling promises that got him elected, so nobody should be surprised.  Scared, perhaps.  But not surprised.

As of this writing there have been no massive ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) raids nor massive deportations of “illegal” immigrants, but you know they’re coming.  Not nationwide, but strategically enough to convince the public (and the undocumented) that Trump is serious.

ICE says it’s going after “the worst, first”, rounding up known gang members and sex offenders.  That’s good.  But what about others that may get swept up in these raids and those legal immigrants just living their lives, doing their jobs and paying their taxes?

As courageous Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde appealed to the President at the National Prayer Service last week, “I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now”.  The President listened but, as always, didn’t like the criticism.  Vice President Vance just rolled his eyes.

Bishop Budde’s book, published in 2023, was titled “How We Learn To Be Brave”.  It could just as well have been called “How To Speak Truth to Power”.  Her tone was soft and measured, but her words may have stung as Trump demanded an apology and called her comments “inappropriate, very boring and uninspiring”.

Immigrants, legal or otherwise, have every reason to be scared.  How will they react?  Probably by hiding.

It’s too early to get the numbers, but I would predict a decline in ridership on mass transit.  It would be just too easy for an ICE team (or local cops) to board a bus or train and sweep up anyone suspicious, taking them off to some detention facility for sorting out.  Under “detainer” laws ICE can get local cops to hold suspects for 48 hours.

If the immigrants can’t get to work, their jobs will be empty just like their wallets.  Restaurant kitchens won’t be staffed, crops won’t be picked and offices (and homes) won’t get cleaned.  Frightened immigrants may not seek healthcare or even visit food pantries to feed their families.

Will the transit agencies cooperate with ICE raids?  I asked CDOT which referred me to Metro-North which said “no comment”.

Connecticut has attracted over 100,000 undocumented immigrants, about 3% of our population.  It’s estimated they pay over $400 million in taxes.  Now the state GOP wants to roll back the state’s TRUST Act limiting local police cooperation with ICE to expedite more deportations of criminals.

If that doesn’t happen the Trump White House has threatened to withhold Federal funds and even prosecute local officials who obstruct ICE plans.

Again, none of this should surprise you.  It may shock you, but this is exactly what candidate Donald Trump promised… and what got him elected.

As I’ve always maintained, American voters get the government they deserve.