A few days ago, we had a conversation with our child about what to do if ICE detains him. We told him to follow instructions and not resist or run away. Hopefully, ICE won’t catch him on the ground. You only have a school ID. We had to have this talk because I saw a picture of ICE arresting 5 year old Liam Ramos. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. ICE has already arrested thousands of children during Trump’s second term. Anyone who does not appear to be white should prepare their family to meet with ICE because they are using racial profiling. ICE is ramping up in Minnesota now, but I read that Oregon is next. I expect ICEs to flood the streets of Portland at some point. We will find our son and get him out if ICE takes him. This is complete nonsense because he was born in a hospital 2 blocks away. But that is a fact of life in the United States today.
Photo of Liam Ramos in custody.
Next, we talked about what to do if ICE arrests me and Mrs. RB40. We have a list of people to call for help on the white board in case we disappear. He can also call some of his friends who live nearby to see if they can help. ICE taking both of us is a long shot. Mrs RB40 obeys the law and will obey orders. However, ICE likes to detain people first and release them later. They probably put all the prisoners on their “pet terrorists” list or something like that. But who knows? They may release Mrs. RB40 because you sound “American.”
The most likely scenario is that ICE will stop me on my own. There’s no way I’m going to carry my US passport around to do some errands in the city. Take that out. This is Portland, not Nazi Germany. US citizens are not required by law to carry proof of citizenship to go about their daily lives.
In Minnesota, ICE set up checkpoints, made several arrests at stores and restaurants, went door-to-door without warrants, and randomly grabbed people off the street. I expect ICE will use the same playbook when they operate in Portland. A reunion seems inevitable. American citizenship is no protection. ICE has already killed 2 US citizens and detained many non-white citizens and citizens. I will comply to minimize any harm. However, they seem to enjoy torturing a few people so we’ll see how it goes.
My plan is if ICE stops me
- Take out my phone and start recording.
- It says, “I’m a US citizen. I don’t have to carry a passport to do certain things. You have no power to detain me. I have the right to remain silent. I refuse to be searched.”
- Give a “know your rights” card. My lawyer’s details are on the back.
- Give me my driver’s license. It’s not the REAL ID version, but I heard ICE doesn’t care anyway.
They might catch me after this. I will obey and I will not resist. I don’t mind spending a few hours or days in a cell. They can waste their time with me if they want. Go ahead and add me to your list.
Our strategy when ICE knocks on our door
- Do not open the door.
- Take out our phones and start recording.
- Ask if they have a warrant for the doorbell camera. Tell them they are being recorded.
- Tell them to put the warrant under the door.
- Slip my “know your rights” card to them under the door.
- If they force their way in. Don’t object and say, “I don’t consent to this search. I’m an American citizen. You’re here illegally.” He was silent after that.
When I saw ICE in my neighborhood
- Start recording.
- Call PIRC to report the presence of ICE. (Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition). 1-888-622-1510.
- Blow the whistle. I don’t have it yet. I will order a box of whistles to take out.
- Stay at least 10-15 feet from their path.
This can happen to me
ICE marched the American citizen out of his house in his underwear. They forced their way into his house without a warrant and refused to even check who he was. ICE took him to an empty lot, made him get out of the car, photographed him, and then let him go home after verifying that he was a US citizen. Soon, you may see me on the news.
In short, I am ready to meet with ICE. I will comply and do my best to keep my mouth shut and avoid injury. If they want to spend my time with me, I’m fine with that. I retired. I have nothing better to do. If they violate my constitutional rights, my lawyer will sue me.
Trump’s immigration approval rating is around 39%. It’s amazing how many people still support ICE. I think if it doesn’t affect them personally, they are fine with the prosecution of legal citizens and US citizens. Perhaps they think that violating the constitutional rights of minorities is a price we should be willing to pay. Or maybe they believe all the lies from Kristie Noem and other Trump cronies. I am relieved to cut those people out of my life.
I don’t want to live like this. I don’t want to rehearse legal documents before doing certain things or teach my child how to survive an encounter with federal agents. I want to travel in my hometown, raise my family, and enjoy retirement without fear. But that is not the world we live in right now.
I will not carry my US passport, because I refuse to normalize this. I will know my rights, I will write everything down, and I will protect my family as much as I can. If that means patrolling our neighborhood, blowing the whistle, or showing up at protests instead of enjoying a relaxing retirement, so be it.
This is not what we should be. And until that changes, I won’t pretend it’s normal.
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