- United States
- Texas
- Letter
Constituent Concerns: Opposition to Aggressive ICE Enforcement Tactics
To: Sen. Cruz, Rep. McCaul, Sen. Cornyn
From: A verified voter in Leander, TX
January 22
I am writing to you today as a concerned constituent from Texas to express my firm opposition to the increasingly aggressive enforcement tactics utilized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While immigration policy is complex, the methods currently employed in Texas and across the country—including Minnesota—frequently bypass due process and undermine the human dignity our nation is sworn to uphold.
Reports of deceptive "knock and talk" tactics, warrantless searches, and plainclothes surveillance mimic the behavior of clandestine police forces rather than professional law enforcement. These actions create an atmosphere of fear that destabilizes our communities, discouraging residents from cooperating with local police or accessing essential services like healthcare and education.
In Texas, I am particularly alarmed by the escalation of checkpoints and reports of enforcement actions near courthouses and schools. These "dragnet" style tactics erode the public trust necessary for a functional, safe society.
I urge you to exercise your oversight authority to:
Investigate and Demand Accountability: Address ICE enforcement actions that bypass judicial warrants and violate Fourth Amendment protections.
Codify "Sensitive Locations": Support legislation that strictly prohibits ICE activity in hospitals, schools, and places of worship.
Mandate Transparency: Advocate for rigorous oversight regarding officer training and field conduct to ensure strict adherence to Constitutional protections.
Intimidation is not a substitute for comprehensive, humane immigration reform. I ask that you stand against these overreaches and protect the civil rights of all individuals in our community.