TRUMP ENLISTS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR ICE RAIDS USING OLD PROGRAM SHUTDOWN FOR ABUSES

The federal agency ICE is once again obtaining signatures under the 287(g) program and its Task Force model, eliminated 12 years ago for its discriminatory actions against Latinos.

Starting on January 30th, several state and local agencies including 4 in Florida, 3 in Texas and 3 in Oklahoma, as well as the states of Idaho, Kansas and Nevada, have signed agreements allowing state and local agencies to use direct interrogation methods regarding people's immigration status. This program is one of the most important factors in Trump's policy of seeking to increase the number of deportations in all states.

Generally speaking, state and local agencies cannot investigate or question people about immigration matters, which is a federal function, but with the implementation of this program which requires a formal contract, local and state agencies will be able to cooperate in the detention of immigrants. This is another example of how the most conservative and anti-immigrant states will begin to detain and harass not only unauthorized immigrants but also US citizens, especially those of Latin American appearance, as happened in the state of Arizona many years ago with the famous racist sheriff Joe Arpaio who detained people solely because of their Latin or Asian appearance, or even because they were speaking another language, and many of them were citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States.

Obviously, civil rights groups such as the ACLU, the American Civil Liberties Union and MALDEF, the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, among other groups, will file lawsuits to protect the civil rights not only of immigrants but also of citizens, especially those of Latin American descent.

We hope that this program is not implemented in Michigan but I have no doubt that certain counties in Michigan such as Barry, south of Grand Rapids, which has a very right-wing sheriff, will consider joining this program, although there is still no such agency in Michigan. We will continue to report on this issue in the coming days.

We also want to know if you, a relative or acquaintance has been questioned or harassed by state or local police about your immigration status. We are documenting the cases to prepare lawsuits against local and state police who are investigating immigration matters without at least having this contract. We have heard of some abuses by state police in northern Michigan and want to have more information about these abuses.

PRIVATE SECURITY MOGUL ERIK PRINCE PROPOSES $25 BILLION PROGRAM TO DETAIN AND DEPORT IMMIGRANTS

Also a few days ago a group of businessmen, especially Erik Prince of Holland, founder of the famous military company Blackwater which had contracts in the Middle East and other countries where many civilians were killed, wants to make money by deporting immigrants through a 25-page plan submitted to the Trump administration.

The plan proposes that private companies run a program to help with the mass deportation of immigrants, which includes renting planes, operating detention and deportation centers, and using a private army to take to the streets and detain supposedly undocumented immigrants.

This is a clear example of how the macabre plans of Trump and his people are not only about hatred towards immigrants, but also about making a lot of money for their millionaire friends like Prince, whose sister is married to a member of the DeVos family, also ultra-conservatives, sued on multiple occasions for their inhumane maneuvers as military contractors.

We must speak out against these companies that make money at the expense of immigrants. In the coming days we will announce some protests against these racist programs and maneuvers.