To: Brian S. Acuna, Assistant Field Office Director, ICE
Stop ICE Raids of Central Americans in Arkansas
As a local business and/or community leader in Arkansas, I do not want to see our business/institution targeted for an Immigration Customs and Enforcement raid.
Why is this important?
According to an official press release by the office of U.S Department of Homeland Security, starting in 2016, a new set of priorities will cause the pursuit of a group of immigrants seeking refuge from Central America. According to the statement, “these new enforcement priorities also focus on border security, namely the removal of those apprehended at the border or who came here illegally after January 1, 2014.” Allegedly, the department “must enforce the law in accordance with these priorities.”
However, circulating fears over at-large raids to identity and remove immigrants without proper documentation create an unsafe and hostile environment for many immigrant families, regardless of their status. The understanding of persecution has lasting effects on the social and psychological well-being of many groups of people within our immigrant communities.
I stand against the raids announced by ICE on Christmas Eve because in the state of Arkansas, nine mayors have signed Welcoming Proclamations in September declaring Arkansas communities as welcoming for immigrants. I agree with their decision to take this stand, and take pride in Arkansas' history of being a welcoming state to all newcomers.
The raids counter our aspirations for Arkansas and are creating mass fear among our employees, colleagues, neighbors and friends.
We, as an Arkansas community, urge the directors of ICE in the state of Arkansas and all authorities under their jurisdiction to exercise their commitment to priorities previously stated. There are no compelling reasons to target any valuable members of the immigrant community. We urge officers to address business managers before creating a hostile environment for any immigrant in our community at their place of work or residence, and avoid broad actions that could entrap other members of the immigrant community, both intentionally and unintentionally.
Also as part of our recommendations, we urge ICE officers to exercise respect for the rights to privacy for individuals in their residences and for not conducting searches without a warrant, also in agreeance with the recent announcements to enforce existing laws with respect to priorities and rights.
As a community, we are saddened to see these events unfold, and the mass fears generated in the Arkansas community today as a result of ICE raid rumors, and are working towards restoring a sense of safety for our immigrant communities. We do not accept an environment of fear and persecution, especially for a group of people who are fleeing terrible conditions and a real humanitarian crisis.
We implore you, President Obama, DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson and ICE Director Sarah Saldana to immediately put an end to their plan to continue to raids on Central Americans, including in our great state of Arkansas.
However, circulating fears over at-large raids to identity and remove immigrants without proper documentation create an unsafe and hostile environment for many immigrant families, regardless of their status. The understanding of persecution has lasting effects on the social and psychological well-being of many groups of people within our immigrant communities.
I stand against the raids announced by ICE on Christmas Eve because in the state of Arkansas, nine mayors have signed Welcoming Proclamations in September declaring Arkansas communities as welcoming for immigrants. I agree with their decision to take this stand, and take pride in Arkansas' history of being a welcoming state to all newcomers.
The raids counter our aspirations for Arkansas and are creating mass fear among our employees, colleagues, neighbors and friends.
We, as an Arkansas community, urge the directors of ICE in the state of Arkansas and all authorities under their jurisdiction to exercise their commitment to priorities previously stated. There are no compelling reasons to target any valuable members of the immigrant community. We urge officers to address business managers before creating a hostile environment for any immigrant in our community at their place of work or residence, and avoid broad actions that could entrap other members of the immigrant community, both intentionally and unintentionally.
Also as part of our recommendations, we urge ICE officers to exercise respect for the rights to privacy for individuals in their residences and for not conducting searches without a warrant, also in agreeance with the recent announcements to enforce existing laws with respect to priorities and rights.
As a community, we are saddened to see these events unfold, and the mass fears generated in the Arkansas community today as a result of ICE raid rumors, and are working towards restoring a sense of safety for our immigrant communities. We do not accept an environment of fear and persecution, especially for a group of people who are fleeing terrible conditions and a real humanitarian crisis.
We implore you, President Obama, DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson and ICE Director Sarah Saldana to immediately put an end to their plan to continue to raids on Central Americans, including in our great state of Arkansas.