Abuse of Power Watch - July 3rd
A weekly collection of articles and stories of the federal government’s abuses of power.
Abuse of power is un-American. We believe in the institutions of a strong democracy. Yet every day, the Trump administration abuses power to undermine the very pillars of our values and the Constitution. That’s why America’s Voice is bringing an Abuse of Power Watch newsletter to your inboxes every week. We are shining a light on the abuses of power, from national to local stories, to show that each example is not a single unique story but a pattern of a larger movement to normalize trampling on our rights and democracy.
This week’s Abuse of Power in America:
Top Stories: Ugly at Every Level
The New York Times reports that in the past five days, there has been a significant increase in immigration arrests, totaling over 10,000 people. Agency leaders have instructed federal immigration enforcement agents to prioritize “picking up immigrants they want to deport.” ICE officials told The New York Times that 2,000 arrests per day are now the “new standard for enforcement.”
Sister Leticia “Letty” Ugboaja, a nun from Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, TX, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while on her way to Mass on Sunday. She has since been released and is returning home. Multiple U.S. representatives from Texas spoke with Markwayne Mullin, the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), to ensure her swift release.
According to data from the Department of Justice, more than half of the children with deportation orders are forced to represent themselves in court. Out of 751,861 children with removal orders, about 425,093—approximately 57%—do not have legal representation. In response, ICE denies the validity of this data, claiming that they provide all arrested individuals with a court-approved list of free or low-cost attorneys.
National: No one is Safe – Anywhere in America
The Trump administration nominated Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma State Trooper, to serve as the Director of ICE. Despite his lack of federal experience, DHS Secretary Mullin defended the nomination, stating that Schroyer’s work with federal agents to remove immigrants from Oklahoma under the state’s 287(g) program qualifies him for the position. Oklahoma holds one of the largest ICE contracts in the country. This nomination signals the administration’s efforts to enhance partnerships with local law enforcement in pursuit of a mass deportation agenda.
After the Supreme Court ruled 6 - 3 that President Trump’s executive order to unilaterally cancel birthright citizenship is unlawful, the Trump administration has indicated it will use different policy actions to limit birthright citizenship. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that they will “try to minimize or limit the opportunity for individuals coming here not to visit—or not to do what they claim they are doing on a tourist visa—but to give birth, allowing the child to become a U.S. citizen.” Additionally, Trump is advocating for legislation that would prevent the children of undocumented immigrants from obtaining U.S. citizenship.
In the States: Federal Abuse is Coming to Your Town
Birmingham, Alabama
More than 30 immigrants were detained during a workplace immigration raid conducted by ICE in partnership with local state police at Scholar Craft Plants. This action followed allegations of identity fraud and unlawful employment practices. Advocates in the state reported observing an increased presence of ICE agents in Birmingham leading up to the raid.
Rochester, New York
A family received a warning from federal agents after David Streever, a father of two and a journalist, sent an email to the Director of ICE regarding the murder of Alex Pretti and the mass deportation raids that took place in Minnesota earlier this year. Streever’s attorney stated that “agents showed up at his home and handed his wife a form essentially accusing him of making some kind of threat by sending an email to the Director of ICE.” The email Streever shared does not contain any threats directed at the director. However, ICE informed him that there has been an ongoing investigation into this email.
Friendship, ME
Dhavalkumar Patel, the owner of local store Wallace’s Market, was detained by ICE agents on Saturday. They entered his store unannounced and handcuffed him. Patel is challenging his detention in federal court. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued an emergency order stating that he must remain in custody in Massachusetts for at least 72 hours. Following this order, another U.S. District Judge, William Young, ruled that ICE cannot transfer Patel out of Massachusetts without providing the court with advance notice. This ruling aims to ensure a fair and orderly consideration of the case.