Above: Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem travels to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Mikaela McGee
Photo courtesy of Flickr
SAU Media major and Buzz writer Grant Ward continues their special spring semester series on the operations of and student reactions to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In part 2, they discuss the City of Davenport’s decision not to work with ICE and Kristi Noem’s repositioning.
On Thursday, March 5th, President Trump posted on Truth Social to announce that Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin is replacing Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security. Trump states, “Kristi Noem, who has served us well…will be moving to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, our new Security initiative in the Western Hemisphere…
“Markwayne will work tirelessly to Keep our Border Secure…and MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN. Markwayne will make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security.”
One anonymous SAU senior says, “Kristi Noem getting replaced will be a positive sign for lessening ICE’s raids. At the very least, the actions taken by ICE should hopefully change.
“People are living in fear, immigrant or not, leading to unnecessary violence and hidden camps.”
An anonymous SAU sophomore is more skeptical about the change in leadership. “Leadership can influence priorities, but the system and policies behind ICE have been in place for years.
“Leadership changes only matter if the policies and approach toward immigrants actually become more humane. Unless there are major policy reforms, ICE will likely continue operating in similar ways.”
Iowa Assists in ICE Enforcement
Noem’s relocation follows ICE’s cross-country raids and several deaths of protesters in Minnesota. Local law enforcement has given directives to either comply with or deny support to ICE agents.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has directed the Iowa National Guard to support ICE’s mission. Governor Reynolds stated in a press release that, “Iowa will continue to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws – this time, by working with the Trump Administration to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in our state…
“By providing administrative and logistical support, the Iowa National Guard will free up local ICE officials to continue their work outside the office to enforce the law and keep our state safe.”
The SAU sophomore worries how the Iowa National Guard’s support affects ICE raids. “When police work with ICE, it can create fear in immigrant communities and make people less likely to report crimes or seek help.
“Even when someone is not directly targeted, the presence of ICE can make people feel unsafe and worried about family members, friends, or neighbors being detained or deported. I keep hearing my close friends worrying about their lives and their loved ones’ lives, and it’s scary.”
Davenport Opposes ICE Cooperation
The City of Davenport alderman unanimously passed Issue Paper 26-05 in January, which requests that “The City of Davenport supports the preservation of local control by the State on all matters that impact the city.
“Local police departments exist to protect the safety and well-being of their communities by enforcing criminal laws.
“Given the current staffing and resource shortages at the Davenport Police Department, our focus needs to be on preventing crime, responding to emergencies, and investigating serious offenses.”
KWQC reports a statement later released by Davenport clarified that, “…the City is expressing its position on proposed legislation that interferes with local authority and autonomy in the way the Davenport Police Department collaborates with our local, state, and federal partners.
“The issue paper makes clear that the City of Davenport is opposed to these bills and wants to preserve local authority in public safety decision-making, as currently outlined in Iowa Code.”
SAU Students React to the Opposition
The SAU senior says they are extremely thankful for Issue Paper 26-05’s passing. “I hope that ICE will stay out of Davenport. It might not be the best city in the world, but it’s still a home to so many people, including me.
“I still worry about someone looking at me and deciding I’m a ‘violent criminal’ just because I’m brown.
“Frankly, I’m timid, and I’m not a fighter. Knowing that Davenport is opposing cooperation with ICE agents makes me feel at least a little better.”
The SAU sophomore says they believe “Local police should focus on community safety, not federal immigration enforcement.
“ICE has created an impact on my life mainly through the fear and stress it causes in immigrant communities. I hope that Davenport continues to stand up for immigrant communities and prioritizes policies that protect residents rather than ones that criminalize them.
“I want to see more focus on fairness and keeping families together instead of aggressive immigration enforcement.”
Read Part 1: Campus Reactions to Minneapolis ICE Raids and the Death of Alex Pretti
