“Just because” is a child’s method of acting out, reminiscent of what we witnessed throughout the recent Joint Congressional address…
I guess it comes with little surprise that President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress contained a blatant display of Democrats existing in an alternate world. That same world may have its own language tethered to irrational, illogical, and irresponsible discord.
Here’s another moment of questionable behavior from a highly intelligent elected and tenured official: Senator Dick Durbin (D – Illinois), instead of supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehending someone whose immigration status met criteria for arrest and deportation, questioned how federal agents were able to track the arrested party, Daniela Vargas.
In his March 1st tweet, Senator Durbin polluted the air with baseless suspicion: “I’m in touch with @DHSgov for more info about this case. Disturbing that ICE may have followed her from an immigration press conference.” It is the second sentence which struck me as odd. “Disturbing” is a strong word, and “may have followed her” implies doubt, so the two do not jibe except to proverbially stir the pot. But the pot is empty.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents attending an “immigration press conference” is not unlikely given their line of work, no different than Senator Durbin being on Capitol Hill performing senatorial duties. If Senator Durbin is truly disturbed by federal cops doing their job on behalf of American citizens, I wonder how he feels about clowns at the circus, or a barista at Starbucks, or a lumberjack in the forest. You get the idea.
ICE agents would have been within their legal rights and authority to handcuff Vargas during her testimony regarding illegal status, but they did not. Instead, ICE agents employed tactician principles and allowed Vargas to drive away from the conference scene crowd, diminishing any potential for crowd-control confrontations or rioting. Instead, agents’ actions preserved officer safety while precluding the chance of injury to any party involved.
I believe this is yet another jab at the Trump Administration and the Republican majority, as well as a wrecking-ball swing at immigration law enforcement. Just because is a child’s method of acting out, reminiscent of what we witnessed throughout the recent Joint Congressional address. Undermining Mr. Trump is akin to undermining the country. When election season draws near, the usual suspects will be reminded of their gaffes and blunders. That’s the way that cookie crumbles.
By the way, as of this writing, I did not see a subsequent tweet pertaining to his follow-up with DHS officials. I did, however, see multiple successful law enforcement activities by various DHS agencies complying with their oath and cleaning up the mess which was left to fester for the last handful of years.
While Senator Durbin seemingly sought to discredit the legitimate law enforcement work of federal immigration enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security celebrated its 14th birthday in service to American citizens. Celebration day or not, ICE agents’ due diligence located and arrested Vargas, a 22-year-old Argentinean woman who DHS confirmed was charged with “visa overstay.” Of her own volition, it seems Ms. Vargas surfaced at the Jackson, Mississippi press conference to announce she was in hiding (self-incrimination) and fearful of deportation (recognizing consequences to actions). So we have the who, why, where, and the how punctuating her destiny. All that remains is when ICE officials will navigate rituals in the deportation process. Rights to a hearing were waived years ago when Vargas signed for and accepted a visa which, according to federal code, defaults to automatic deportation when overstayed.
I fail to comprehend the surprise and sensationalist attitude of Senator Durbin. I attribute it to the doom and gloom party chronically foisting thumbtacks under the feet of the Trump Administration and the course of justice.
Stephen Owsinski is a Senior OpsLens Contributor and retired law enforcement officer whose career included assignments in the Uniformed Patrol Division and Field Training Officer (FTO) unit. He is currently a researcher and writer.
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