“While engaged in his sit-in, Congressman Gutierrez actually tweeted that he expects to be arrested and was ready to be handcuffed…”
The whining and lunacy from the left just keeps on keeping on. Even after President Trump’s executive orders relating to immigration enforcement were implemented and produced dividends, another Democrat on Capitol Hill went into melodramatic mode by attempting to upstage the nation’s immigration policy and its law enforcers charged with the national mission.
In a rather foolish, childish display of hyperbole and you can’t make me posturing, Congressman Luis Gutiérrez (D – Ill) conducted a sit-in at the Chicago regional office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and refused to leave when lawfully asked to do so. Before a bevy of media cameras and reporters who were at the federal facility doors—notably Telemundo and Univision up front—Congressman Gutiérrez threw a tantrum within the federal confines of the ICE lobby, where he confronted federal service officers and ICE agents. Why? He didn’t get answers he felt he deserved at the speed he desired.
In coordinated fashion, on March 13, Gutiérrez tweeted his sentiments in a sanctimonious tune: “Entering a meeting with ICE in #chicago at this hour to discuss deportations, #daca #detention #chiresist #twill.” ICE spokespeople agreed to a meeting but never said they would disclose any details as to cases in progress.
Much like presidential candidate Hillary Clinton demanded that FBI Director James Comey show his hand in relation to a then-active investigation targeting her email exploits, no one—including those who hold political office—has any entitlement to information regarding any active police investigations. Gutiérrez solicited details pertaining to a few detainees. ICE officials never said “No,” only that they couldn’t provide that information right at that moment. Fair enough for some, but not Mr. Gutiérrez.
Besides, much of what Mr. Gutiérrez sought (clarity on immigration enforcement principles) is already publicized, so it leaves the appearance that he intended to merely ruffle federal feathers. Not only was this quasi-standoff a waste of time and energy, it was an embarrassing display for the fine folks of the district that put Congressman Gutiérrez on Capitol Hill.
The “meeting” with ICE officials went fine. The tipping point is when Congressman Gutiérrez demanded information and details he is not privy to, despite his ego apparently informing him to the contrary. Exacerbating the scenario was bizarre behavior exploiting federal authority and publicizing the spectacle as if his objective was successful. The only success I bore witness to was him being released from handcuffs after three warnings to exit federal premises. Get boisterous, get out! It is simple math in relation to police protocols anywhere, and three fair warnings was perhaps two too many.
By all rights, federal police should have seen to it that Mr. Gutiérrez took the full ride. He was released and resorted to Twitter, calling ICE agents bullies. He unwittingly epitomized hypocrisy while in the so-called meeting he turned into a circus act. The courts are where we entertain arguments, debates, and differing perspectives, not in the lobby of federal enclaves taxpayers finance to enforce our nation’s laws.
Twitter Talk
While engaged in his sit-in, Congressman Gutierrez actually tweeted that he expects to be arrested and was ready to be handcuffed. Why would anyone say such things unless one knew he was in the wrong and consciously violating lawful orders to desist from unlawful behavior—in this instance, it appears trespass after warning, obstruction of justice, and resisting law enforcement officer apply, at least.
Speaking of resisting, his use of the hashtag #chiresist (Chicago resist) underscores irony, as Congressman Gutiérrez’s Chicago district is riddled with life-ending bullets, some of which were fired by illegal immigrants roaming the Windy City. Chaos ensues in Chicago. Folks are terrified of going out and not returning home. Heck, even Chicago cops are reportedly atrophied. There is no escaping the fact that all news outlets have reported the chronic horrors burdening Chicago.
On March 10, Congressman Gutiérrez tweeted, “President Trump and his people should keep their hands off of DREAMers, period.” Following this statement, he posted a letter from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) blasting tweets by ICE regarding the DACA program. Launched by former President Obama, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is a compromising effort to see immigrant children brought here illegally are accorded certain benefits such as temporary yet renewable status. There is neither mention of “permanent” status nor does DACA cater lawful status or an automatic conferring of citizenship; it also denies federal welfare and/or educational funding.
On the same day (via Twitter), Congressman Gutiérrez did something to qualify his political election. Without a sit-in, demands, or display of zany behavior, he posted a bulletin announcing a workshop (March 11) to attain US citizenship—the proper and legal method the US has offered and countless others have achieved.
For all his efforts, Gutiérrez’s tweeting campaign, speaking to media before entering federal property, demanding informational access to federal law enforcement operations and logistics, publicly claiming expectations to be arrested, getting that seeming wish, then mocking federal agents who decided to release him equals nothing more than grandstanding.
In similar measure, another Democrat also representing Illinois, Senator Dick Durbin, recently posted sensationalized overtures via Twitter when, after ICE agents arrested a self-professed illegal immigrant, he said, “I’m in touch with @DHSgov for more info about this case. Disturbing that ICE may have followed her from an immigration press conference.” Senator Durbin had neither a vowel nor a consonant pertaining to the illegal status of Ms. Vargas, even after she voiced her self-incriminating testimony before being placed in custody. Other than ICE agents doing their job, this too was much ado about nothing.
While he posted, “Trump is destroying the credibility of the Office of the Pres 140 characters at a time” via Twitter on March 7th, Senator Durbin sought to discredit and destroy the honorable work of federal cops with his aforementioned tweet regarding ICE agents deploying tactician skills and legitimately arresting Daniela Vargas on March 1. However, to his credit, Senator Durbin did not conduct a foolhardy sit-in like Congressman Gutiérrez did.
Oddly, pertaining to the lawful arrest of Vargas, on March 2, Congressman Gutiérrez tweeted, “Just let her go. Now!” Well alrighty then. Apparently the gentleman from Illinois has a hefty wad of “Get out of jail free!” cards stuffed in his pockets and wants to monopolize the justice system. I wonder what the Steinle family, whose daughter Kate was shot to death by a violent five-time Mexican national deportee roaming one of our liberal-leaning sanctuary cities, thinks of Mr. Gutierrez’s stance on immigration.
While writing this article, Chicago homicide detectives did not sit in or sit around pandering to a phalanx of cameras but were feverishly investigating hordes of rampant, unsolved shootings.
Next!
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.
To contact or book OpsLens contributors on your program or utilize our staff for your story, contact [email protected].
