As a retired enforcement officer for 42 years, I feel compelled to write regarding ICE’s policy on detaining/arresting undocumented immigrants.

First, this policy contains several flaws. ICE agents are arresting people based on “probable suspicion” that the individual is illegally in this country. The only path to a legal arrest is by having “probable cause” and is recognized by the courts of the country. The acting director of ICE, when asked on camera to define probable suspension to arrest, could not.

Second, ICE officers, wearing battlefield uniforms and face bands to hide their identity, create fear and promote chaos, and then arrests are made. ICE agents’ identity is concealed to prevent threats to them and their families. Consider this, police officers throughout the country patrol alone and do not conceal their identity.

Third, a quota system used on police arrests simply does not work. Working under the mandate to arrest to raise the numbers, the officers are too quick to make decisions contrary to sound rules of engagement. This adds to the chaos. Arrests are made and added to the quota, thus they have an invalid number. Fear is engraved in this policy. The same fear people in Germany experienced in the 1930s when Nazi Gestapo agents arrested and dragged off members of the opposing political party and members of the Jewish community based on “probable suspicion,” never to be seen again. This policy places the ICE agents in a dilemma. America can do better.

Paul Lessard
Brunswick