1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my profound dismay and outrage over the recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) promotional video showcasing ICE raids in Chicago. This video, which boasts of "OVER 900 ARRESTS during Operation Midway Blitz," is not only misleading but also deeply troubling in its glorification of actions that have caused significant harm to our communities. The raids conducted as part of "Operation Midway Blitz" have been described by witnesses and victims as traumatic and inhumane. Reports of children being taken from their homes naked and put into rental vans are horrifying and unacceptable in a civilized society. U.S. citizen Rodrick Johnson, 67, claims he was zip-tied outside his home for three hours without being shown a warrant or provided legal representation. These actions are not only morally reprehensible but potentially unconstitutional. While DHS claims to have taken 37 people into custody on suspicions of various offenses, the collateral damage to families and communities is immeasurable. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights has aptly described this operation as "a violent show of force" from which people will struggle to recover. The use of such heavy-handed tactics, involving joint teams from Border Patrol, FBI, and ATF, seems grossly disproportionate and raises serious questions about the priorities and methods of our law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, the creation and distribution of propaganda-style videos celebrating these raids is deeply concerning. This follows a pattern of controversial PR stunts by DHS, including an unauthorized Pokémon-themed raid video. Such actions trivialize the serious nature of law enforcement operations and the impact they have on real people's lives. I urge you to take immediate action: Call for a thorough, independent investigation into the conduct of these raids, particularly the treatment of children and U.S. citizens. Demand the immediate cessation of using enforcement operations as PR stunts or propaganda tools. Push for comprehensive immigration reform that prioritizes human rights and family unity over aggressive enforcement tactics. Ensure that DHS and ICE are held accountable for their actions and that they operate with transparency and respect for constitutional rights. Our nation's values and international reputation are at stake. We must not allow fear-mongering and dehumanizing tactics to guide our immigration policies. I implore you to stand up for the rights and dignity of all individuals in our country, regardless of their immigration status. The world is indeed watching, and it's time for us to demonstrate the compassion and justice that should define our nation.