1. United States
  2. S.D.
  3. Letter

An Open Letter

To: Rep. Johnson, Sen. Thune, Sen. Rounds

From: A constituent in Sioux Falls, SD

January 16

writing to express serious concerns regarding recent actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that, in my view, appear to exceed the agency’s lawful authority. While ICE plays a defined role within the federal immigration system, it is not a general law enforcement agency, nor is it granted the full range of policing powers afforded to state and local law enforcement. My concern centers on situations in which ICE personnel have acted in ways that resemble traditional law enforcement functions without the statutory authority to do so. When any federal agency operates outside the scope of its legal mandate, it raises significant constitutional and civil liberties issues. These concerns are amplified when such actions affect individuals who may be legal residents, citizens, or otherwise not subject to immigration enforcement. I respectfully request clarification on the following points: - What oversight mechanisms are currently in place to ensure ICE officers operate strictly within the bounds of federal law - What corrective actions are taken when ICE personnel engage in conduct that resembles unauthorized policing - How the agency ensures transparency and accountability when its actions impact individuals who are not subject to immigration detention or removal - What steps are being taken to prevent overreach and protect the rights of all individuals within the United States It is essential that federal agencies adhere to the limits of their statutory authority, both to maintain public trust and to uphold the constitutional protections guaranteed to everyone in this country. I believe these issues warrant immediate attention and clear communication from your office. Thank you for your time and for addressing these concerns. I look forward to your response.

Share on BlueskyShare on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare on WhatsAppShare on TumblrEmail with GmailEmail

Write to Dusty Johnson or any of your elected officials

Send your own letter

Resistbot is a chatbot that delivers your texts to your elected officials by email, fax, or postal mail. Tap above to give it a try or learn more here!