The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stirred controversy by posting a sarcastic message on social media that encourages reporting ex-partners without legal immigration status.
“Your exes may all live in Texas (or Florida), but if they are here illegally, we will be happy to assist you with their deportation,” is written in the tweet that was widely shared on social media.
The comment was issued from ICE's official account on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by a retweet of a post from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who publicly encouraged citizens to report undocumented ex-partners to immigration authorities.
“Recently, we received a tip from someone whose abusive ex-partner overstayed a tourist visa. They are now in the process of deportation,” the official wrote.
The initiative is set against a backdrop of increasing strictness in immigration laws in Republican states.
Both Florida and Texas have recently passed legislation that grants extraordinary powers to local authorities to detain and process migrants, even without federal intervention.
Civil rights organizations warned that this type of publication could encourage false or revenge-driven reports, and lead to unjust deportation processes that violate due process.
Recently, the acting director of ICE, Todd Lyons, stated that they will detain anyone who is illegally in the U.S., even if they have no criminal record. This policy includes what are known as "collateral" arrests and will be complemented by strict measures against employers of undocumented individuals.
ICE will hold companies accountable that hire and exploit undocumented labor. Lyons stated that investigations have uncovered cases of forced labor and human trafficking, and that the agency will focus on companies as well, not just on undocumented workers.
The Trump administration aims for one million deportations per year. Since his return, Trump has reversed previous restrictions and has allocated millions in funding to ICE to achieve this goal.
Frequently asked questions about the ICE controversy and deportations in the U.S.
What sparked the controversy over the ICE tweet?
The controversy arose when ICE posted a sarcastic message on social media encouraging the reporting of ex-partners without legal immigration status to facilitate their deportation. This message was criticized by civil rights organizations for the risk of encouraging false reporting or revenge-driven claims.
What is the position of the Attorney General of Florida on deportations?
The Attorney General of Florida, James Uthmeier, has expressed strong support for deportations, encouraging the reporting of undocumented ex-partners and has promoted collaboration with ICE to facilitate these actions. He has warned local officials about the consequences of not cooperating with immigration laws.
How does current immigration policy affect undocumented communities in Florida?
The current immigration policies in Florida, backed by Governor Ron DeSantis, have tightened immigration laws, allowing local authorities to act as immigration agents. This has created a climate of fear and uncertainty among migrant communities, due to the risk of immediate deportations without due process.
What measures has ICE taken to expedite deportations?
ICE has begun detaining undocumented migrants as they leave their immigration hearings as part of a strategy to implement expedited deportation procedures. These actions allow for the rapid expulsion of an immigrant without a full hearing, which has been criticized for limiting access to due legal process.
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