To the Editor:
In her recent column, Beatriz Lindemann ’29 argues that a lack of ideological clarity in community organizing against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency risks alienating potential allies. While I agree that a clear mission is crucial for building solidarity, her argument fails to acknowledge that ICE and the police force are deeply intertwined.
On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that encouraged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to pursue agreements with state and local law enforcement, which allowed them to support and, with ICE’s approval, make immigration arrests. Since then, these agreements have increased by 950%. Police cooperation with the DHS has supported immigration enforcement, even in so-called sanctuary cities. In order to fight ICE, we must acknowledge and dismantle these extensive collaborations.
Beyond the explicit partnerships between these agencies, ICE’s actions are a manifestation of state violence enacted by law enforcement against Black and Brown Americans for centuries — a phenomenon that is inseparable from the police. It’s understandable that the increased security has been an “unexpected source of comfort” for Lindemann after the shooting, but for some students of color, the inescapable presence of police can be the exact opposite. Simply stating that ICE and police are different institutions without acknowledging these dynamics conveys a misleading portrayal of how police operate in this country.
To be clear, the chant calling for “No ICE or police!” that Lindemann cited from the Jan. 30 rally was selected by a coalition of organizations: It was not one of Brown Rise Up’s specific demands. Nevertheless, discussing the distinctions between anti-ICE and anti-police causes requires analysis of the institutions de facto, not just the differences in stated purpose. We welcome with open arms all allies committed to ending ICE’s reign of terror — and expect such a coalition to include individuals with a range of politics. Only by listening across differences will we be able to meaningfully mobilize ourselves and fully deconstruct the systems allowing ICE to abuse with impunity.
Sincerely,
Dakota Pippins ’29
Press Liaison, Brown Rise Up
