YUSEF WILEY BLOCK

I don’t believe the United States needs a separate immigration police force like ICE to preserve public safety. What we need instead is a system that protects the dignity of human beings while still enforcing the law responsibly.

Immigration status does not need to be the starting point of policing in our communities. Law enforcement already has the authority to respond when crimes are committed. If a person commits a crime and comes into contact with law enforcement, officers can address immigration status at that moment and coordinate with federal immigration authorities when legally required.

This approach focuses our resources where they belong: on actual criminal behavior, not on mass surveillance or fear in everyday communities.

There are already models that show how cooperation could work. Federal law allows trained local law enforcement to coordinate with immigration authorities when someone is arrested or in custody through formal agreements and information-sharing systems. But the goal should be targeted, lawful cooperation—not a separate agency whose primary function is detention and deportation. (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

When immigration enforcement becomes a constant presence in communities, it often creates fear that prevents people from reporting crimes, cooperating with police, or seeking help when they need it. That undermines public safety for everyone. (American Civil Liberties Union)

A better system would invest in:

• Stronger local law enforcement resources for real crimes

• Clear legal pathways for immigration processing

• Due process and civil rights protections

• Policies that respect the dignity and humanity of every person

Public safety and human dignity should never be in conflict. We can enforce the law without building systems that criminalize people simply for existing.

We can protect communities without destroying trust.

We can uphold the law without abandoning our humanity.

#IranWar #ICE #NoICE