City of La Grange Sadly Selling Its Soul to Ice
To the Editor:
I was disappointed (although not surprised) that the La Grange City Council and Police Chief decided to sell their souls to ICE. Just like the County Commissioners and Sheriff, the lure of free money was just too much. We all know that nothing in life is free, and this money comes with a cost for our community. When the county signed the agreement, they said it wouldn’t really change anything they do. It wasn’t going to hurt our community and the funds would purchase needed equipment. On June 26, ICE arrived in Fayette County, and with the help of county and state law enforcement who are under contact to help them, took many people into custody. Now, before you bristle up and start to lecture me about people coming here the “right” way, read a few more sentences. I’ll get back to our local event in a moment.
One July 7, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was murdered by ICE officers in Houston. His immigration status is irrelevant because it turns out, he wasn’t the person they were targeting. He “looked” like the person. Didn’t they check his license plate? No, they assumed that because he wouldn’t pull over, he must be the right person. As a female, I learned years ago that if an unidentified vehicle is following me, keep driving and head to a crowded parking lot. Salgado Araujo wasn’t given this opportunity. Instead, his vehicle was surrounded and he was murdered. Initial reports said that he “weaponized” his vehicle and officers feared for their lives. Since they weren’t wearing body cameras (even though tax payers have funded millions for them), there is no proof. The U. S. Attorney’s office has also backed down from that story. On July 13, ICE killed a man in Maine who was also not the target that ICE was seeking. The officer that shot him has since been identified as someone with a violent history.
Now, let’s get back to Fayette County and La Grange. During his campaign, Trump promised to get rid of “the worst of the worst.” That’s how this all started; however, it quickly devolved into a witch hunt on anyone who looks Hispanic. Citizens have been deported or murdered. On July 26, nearly twenty-five percent of our county residents were fearful of being targeted. Why? Because they have seen what ICE does, or doesn’t do. They shoot first without determining if they have the right person. They deport without proper hearings, They act like it’s the wild west and they are free to do as they please. I’ve lived in Fayette County for four years. I haven’t seen any evidence that “the worst of the worst” lives here. Why should we allow our communities to be used to target people who are passing through the county?
Okay, you are probably pretty riled by now. I can hear your comments. “If they are here legally, they have nothing to worry about.” Really? If ICE is targeting and killing people based on appearance, how does anyone in the Hispanic community have a chance? “If they just followed the legal process, this wouldn’t happen?” Really? The man in Houston was in the process of becoming a citizen and the man in Maine was here legally. Neither could be described as the “worst of the worst,” yet they were murdered. What happened to them could happen to our neighbors. A case of mistaken identity is not justification for murder. Our neighbors shouldn’t have to live in fear or have to carry paperwork to prove their citizenship. I won’t get stopped and asked for paperwork. Why not? Because I am lily white, and it’s assumed that I am a citizen. I bet those of you who got bristled up about this letter are white, too. The term is “white privilege” and you are living it right now.
To my neighbors in the county of color: while I will never know your fear or live your experiences, please know that you have allies in our community. We are angry that our president didn’t keep his word about “the worst of the worst.” We are angry that this is happening to you. We are angry that others in our community continue to vote for and voice support for this cruelty. Most of all, we are disappointed that our local governments sold you out for some “free” money.