1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

It is time for the Trump administration to put an end to the violence and inflammatory rhetoric surrounding immigration. While we can all agree that we do not want violent undocumented individuals in our communities, the aggressive ICE raids in Los Angeles and elsewhere are causing harm. These raids, which indiscriminately target families, day laborers, and bystanders, are violating rights, instilling fear, and tearing communities apart. These are not just border towns; they include schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods where people fear even going outside. This past weekend, over 100 individuals were arrested during raids at places such as Home Depot and a doughnut shop in downtown Los Angeles. Federal agents employed stun grenades, tear gas, and flash-bang grenades in response to protests that were largely peaceful. National Guard troops, called up by executive order instead of at the request of the state, confronted protesters on city streets, using tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs. One woman described her ordeal of being “caught in the middle of tear gas” while simply trying to walk her child to school. Experts have warned that such tactics resemble those used by authoritarian regimes, not a democratic nation like America. These actions undermine trust in law enforcement, fracture communities, and divert crucial resources from addressing real threats such as terrorism and trafficking. This is not merely a partisan issue; it is a matter of public safety. We can and should deport criminals responsibly without turning entire neighborhoods and cities into war zones. We must demand immediate change: stop warrantless raids on innocent people, end deployments that bypass state and local authority, and restore humane and strategic policing founded on respect for the Constitution and shared values. We can uphold our laws while also holding true to our ideals. America deserves no less.