The Trump administration has come under fire over an immigration raid in New Jersey that detained an American citizen who is also a military veteran.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided NewarkNew Jersey business on Thursday. According to Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, “one of those detained is a US military veteran who suffered the humiliation of having the legitimacy of his military records questioned.”
The raid took place just days after Donald Trump signed by squall anti-immigrant decrees, like his administration and congressional Republicans I plan to implement policy of mass deportation. In a Fox News interview with longtime Trump fan Sean Hannity: Trump said its policies focus on migrants who pose a security risk that can be identified simply by looking at the people.
“Open borders, flow of people. Some of them, I won't go into detail, but you can look at them and say, 'There could be problems, there could be problems,'” Trump said. Trump is a racist who has for years expressed anti-immigrant sentiments, mostly directed at black members of minority groups.
Baraka explained this “egregious act is a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” referring to the protection against unreasonable search and seizure.
“Newark will not stand idly by while people are illegally terrorized,” he added.
New Jersey Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman described the raid was called “unconstitutional” and evidence of “the reality of Trump’s terror.”
IN joint statementNew Jersey Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim said they were “deeply concerned” by the raid and had asked the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, for answers.
“Actions like these spread fear throughout our communities, and our broken immigration system requires solutions, not scare tactics,” the senators added.
Veterans groups had previously expressed concern about Trump's actions against migrants even before the incident in New Jersey.
As part of the administration's anti-immigration efforts, ICE was provided the power to quickly deport migrants who are in the country legally, including those granted temporary protected status under the Biden administration.
In a letter addressed to Trump, veterans groups expressed fear that the crackdown would jeopardize the safety of translators who helped the military during the war in Afghanistan, as well as their families now living in America.
Trump is implementing the immigration policies he has long touted and Republicans support, but just days later, veterans are already among the people caught in the crosshairs.
