Oppression and resistance: the DHS Diaries
PWS weekly on ICE, Border Patrol, and the brave communities , organizations, and individuals resisting their fascist policies
Minneapolis has provided a blueprint for resisting ICE
Although DHS officials last week publicly announced an end to the “surge” in Minneapolis, migration enforcement operations and the activities of those resisting them are both very much ongoing.
And the actions of thousands of residents, based on years of non-ideological community organizing and mutual aid to build organic networks of neighbors helping neighbors.
The Trump administration has clearly suffered a massive public relations setback following the murders of Alex Pretti and Renne Goode by DHS officials. In response to growing public pushback, as well as awful polling, Trump has moved away somewhat from the high-visibility/maximum cruelty approach to migration enforcement.
This change is not reflected only in the removal of “Commander at Large” Greg Bovino, who has been stripped of access to his social media accounts from daily DHS operations, but also in the social media accounts of DHS agencies like ICE and CBP.
The style of “shit-posting” with racist memes and thinly veiled fascist imagery has been largely replaced by more “professional” posts, which, though often no less dishonest, focus instead on the allegedly violent migrants that DHS is detaining and statements by White House officials.
But the intention, and scope, of Trump’s (and Stephen Miller’s) plans have not changed. And even in Minneapolis, those protesting and engaging in ICE observation have reported that the scale of DHS operations has not changed.
New vehicles and personnel continue to arrive at the Whipple Building, which is acting as a command center for DHS in the city. And though future “surges” in other cities, such as Boston and Philadelphia, have been put on hold for the moment, it is almost certain that they will resume after public attention moves on from Minnesota.
But the blueprint created by residents in the city works. It has not only dealt a massive public-relations blow to the Trump administration, but it has also materially impacted DHS operations on the ground.
“We aren’t always successful,” one Minneapolis resident who asked not to be named told PWS, “but we’ve delayed, obstructed, and even prevented thousands of ICE operations. This has cost them enormous resources. And I like to think it has saved hundreds of our neighbors.”
And ultimately, the idea of good neighbors has been the kernel of this strategy. It can be replicated in other cities and other communities. (quote) wrote a piece on this idea last week, which explains the sentiment nicely. It is worth reading in its entirety.
Very Partial DHS shutdown
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ran out of funding over the weekend (technically and temporarily), leading to the third partial government shutdown of President Donald Trump’s second term, as negotiations between Republicans and Democrats remain stalled while Congress is in recess until February 23.
The situation is largely theoretical. Ninety-five percent of DHS employees will continue their duties unaffected. Those who are furloughed are principally from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which conducts airport security. Democrats have stated that they will allow funding with some symbolic reforms. In the meantime.
ICE plans to spend $38.2 billion on detention centers around the country
Further illustrating the point that the current DHS “shutdown” is largely immaterial, ICE is moving ahead with plans to buy 16 warehouses across the country and renovate them to serve as regional processing centers that can hold 1,000 to 1,500 detainees for average stays of three to seven days, according to the plan.
The agency will also open eight large detention centers capable of holding 7,000 to 10,000 detainees for an average of around 60 days that will serve as the “primary location” for immigrants being deported abroad.
In addition, ICE will acquire an additional 10 “turnkey” facilities where the agency already operates, according to the plan.
The construction of detention centers that can hold thousands more people continues, even as DHS holds record numbers of people in custody currently.
Photo of the Week
A photo of George Floyd square in Minneapolis, on Chicago Avenue and 38th Street. The protests following the murder of Floyd caused a national uprising, and many of the same networks created as part of that movement have served as building blocks for ongoing resistance to DHS efforts today.
The round-up
The acting head of ICE says that two of its officers appear to have made “untruthful statements” about shooting a migrant in Minnesota and may face federal charges for their actions.
Despite Increased Profits, Private Prison Companies Want to Cage Even More People. Investors on CoreCivic and GEO Group’s quarterly earnings calls expressed frustration that ICE’s record immigration detention numbers aren’t high enough. This story is crazy.
Kansas City media reported that “A woman tried to set a fire at a South Kansas City warehouse that had been rumored as a possible ICE detention center. Earlier today, the company that owns the property confirmed it is no longer moving forward with a sale to the U.S. government.” Video of the incident went viral on social media networks.
Last week, we reported that activists have been claiming that ICE is creating a database to track their identities and movements. This week, officials confirmed those accusations in comments to Reuters.
Conservative Colombian Senator Ángela Vergara is denouncing ICE and DHS actions after her son was detained by US authorities. Vergara previously supported Trump’s migration policies.
Obama made some milquetoast comments defending ICE, but saying that Trump has gone so far.
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Hasta pronto, piratas!
