LETTER: Few noncitizens are criminals, yet that fact doesn’t deter ICE

To Ozaukee Press:

It is estimated that in 2026 ICE will cost us $30 billion. We have been told that ICE is seeking to deport the worst of the worst—murderers, rapists, etc. If the objective is to prosecute criminals, how can it be efficient or effective to divide this effort into two organizations—criminal citizens and criminal noncitizens? A criminal is a criminal. Criminal identification, pursuit and prosecution is best accomplished at the local level.

      Think how much more effective these efforts would be if the $30 billion was allocated to state and local law enforcement. Crime fighting is not done by swooping in, staying for a few weeks and moving on. I must say I do not know anyone who does not support the aggressive pursuit of criminals. The same could be said that doing that in the most efficient manner would garner the same support.

     Could it be that ICE objective is not the worst of the worst but just the immigrant? The proportion of those detained by ICE that have no criminal record is disturbingly high.

     Time and again people are being ripped out of there car or off the street because they look like an immigrant. This is a dangerous precedent. Immigrants are essential to our country’s economic success. Data shows that our immigrant population is by a huge majority God-fearing, hard-working people.

     Restoring our cultural morality is essential and is going to take all of us.

Richard Todd

Mequon