It’s up to Congress to rein in ICE’s excesses

In Shaker Heights, Ohio, recent developments from Minneapolis reveal a troubling landscape where U.S. citizens, engaged in peaceful protests and exercising their First Amendment rights, are facing aggressive actions by a federal agency. This agency, seemingly acting independently of local and state authorities, appears to disregard the rule of law.

The situation is further complicated by presidential threats to invoke the Insurrection Act, casting a shadow over the nation’s future. With Congress failing to assert its financial oversight, calls have emerged not to dismantle ICE but to ensure it operates within legal boundaries. The hope is for leaders like Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries to take a stand by delaying the Department of Homeland Security funding bill until ICE and Border Patrol demonstrate compliance with legal standards. Such measures are vital in preventing unconstitutional practices, like the contentious Kavanaugh stops, which rely on racial profiling.

Public sentiment reflects disapproval of ICE’s current practices, with polls indicating widespread dissatisfaction. The urgency for action is underscored by tragic incidents, such as the death of Renee Good, emphasizing the need for legislative restraint to curb unchecked federal agency actions. David Aron

Death & defamation

In Windsor, Conn., the debate over free speech and defamation rights has intensified following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Tom Homan, a White House official, suggested on the “Will Cain Country” podcast that Ross may pursue legal action against those who called him a “murderer.” This stance raises concerns about potential infringement on public discourse and the right to criticize government actions, drawing ominous comparisons to authoritarian regimes. Jonathan Brewster

Missing moderation

From Clearwater, Fla., reflections on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy surface amidst the current turmoil in Minneapolis. As a champion of non-violence, it’s speculated that Dr. King would disapprove of the ongoing violence. The transformation of the Democratic Party since King’s era is noted, with a call for Minnesota leaders to moderate their anti-federal rhetoric. Advocates argue for a balanced approach that allows ICE to perform its duties in targeting criminal activities, ultimately promoting community safety. JoAnn Lee Frank

Lay in the bed you make

In Lake Ariel, Pa., tension between federal and local values is highlighted by comments from the Minneapolis mayor, suggesting a disconnect with federal priorities. Critics argue that local priorities, perceived as overly protective of undocumented immigrants, neglect broader issues like political corruption and crime. The suggestion to withdraw federal enforcement and funding reflects deep frustration with local governance and policy priorities. Joseph Beyhl

Rhetoric becomes reality

Ashburn, Va.: A lot of people thought it was a great idea when then-candidate Donald Trump demanded that ICE hire more agents to stop immigrants at the border and deport all the rapists, murderers and criminals he claimed were here illegally. We voted for him and for politicians that followed his lead. But ICE soon discovered that it’s difficult to tell rapists from peaceful, productive immigrants, and rapists are harder to find. But Trump being Trump, he demanded more arrests and deportations, so ICE complied, often with newly minted and poorly trained officers and raids at Home Depot and Walmart. It may have seemed like a harmless excess, but then ICE started arresting your friends and their families, and ICE reacted with lethal force when people tried to flee. Shootings and death have resulted, and some of your friends are now gone or living in fear. Mike Barrett

Friendly to fraud

Bronx: The justification the Trump administration has used — rooting out fraud — to withhold federal funds from programs designed to help poor people in Minnesota, and for sending thousands of poorly trained, masked, heavily armed thugs into Minneapolis and other places in that state is belied not only by the fact that terrorizing and detaining citizens and noncitizens alike in random sweeps is not the way investigators identify fraudsters, but also by the fact that since his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, Trump has pardoned dozens of people who were convicted of fraud. Some of them were found guilty of stealing millions, or tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars. Thanks to their pardons, they now do not have to pay a penny in restitution. One of the fraudsters he pardoned this year had received one from him in 2021 and had gone on to commit fraud once again. Miriam Levine Helbok

Historical memory

Toms River, N.J.: The governments of Europe will not cave to Trump’s bullying on Greenland. They remember what happened the last time they chose to appease an insane tyrant. Mary Evens

Intentional wasteland

Chatham, N.J.: Thank you for the multi-page Associated Press article contrasting Trump’s demented promises with stark reality (“Where Trump’s most startling vows stand,” Jan. 18). The photo of Gaza, instead of showing us the promised luxury hotel, depicts bombed-out apartments with bed sheets in place of window glass. That’s so residents don’t have to see the tent city where a generation of children will grow up hating Israel and its perceived ally, America. Not a desirable result, but one consistent with Benjamin Netanyahu’s and Trump’s “retribution” policies. Paul A. Denk

A new breed

South Windsor, Conn.: Kudos to Voicer (and fellow Nutmegger) Michael Eddy for his spot-on analysis of Trump and his handlers. Trump has no grounding in political ideology. He merely helps to advance Project 2025, the agenda of Stephen Miller, Russell Vought and others. They use him and he uses them. In return for his policy efforts, he’s rewarded with large sums of money. That takes care of the greed. Just as important is the narcissism. He gets to be on TV every day. Some aspects of Project 2025 may be reasonable, but the performance-art style by which it’s implemented, and his governance in general, is a chaotic disgrace. As a registered Republican, I yearn for the days of Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush and John McCain. In this administration, we can only prepare ourselves for the next round of retribution. John Gallup

Leaves a void

Lake Hopatcong, N.J.: What happened to Bob Raissman? His column was excellent and is missed by sports fans. Ty Gonabe

Support nurses

Manhattan: I experienced the importance of safe staffing for nurses when a high-risk pregnancy landed me on hospital bedrest at what is now Mount Sinai West Hospital (formerly Roosevelt Hospital). Living in the maternity ward for more than two months and later visiting my fragile baby in the neonatal unit, my son and I flourished due to the excellent care provided by front-line nurses. They deserve safe staffing, quality health benefits, protection from workplace violence, and the other key demands that have led them to strike. It’s unconscionable that Mount Sinai has unlawfully disciplined nurses for speaking out for safety — as well as threatening and firing other nurses in the leadup to the strike. Hospital management at Mount Sinai, Montefiore and NewYork-Presbyterian must immediately stop union-busting, cease using patient care as a bargaining chip and agree to a fair contract now. Amy M. Traub