ICE Makes Us Feel Less Safe
Frida Victoria Quintana
BEFORE YOU READ:
1. What is your experience with ICE in your community?
2. Discuss the term racial profiling.
ICE Raids Target Our Community
What really makes a place a home is not how it looks, but the presence of the people we love and the peace we feel when we are with them. Although I feel peace and security when I am with my family, there is something that puts it at risk: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
When we are at home, we want to feel protected, but living near the border has made us feel less secure. We are a Hispanic family, and ICE raids target Hispanic people. This creates uncertainty for families in our community. There is a lot of economic growth where I live. There is a lot of construction and many types of service work. Many of the people who have these jobs are part of the Hispanic community. They live every day with a fear of ICE.
They Use Racial Profiling
Our community does not feel safe, not only for the people who work here, but also for the families who live here. ICE has carried out raids in construction areas, and several immigrant workers have been detained while working. Most of these raids take place in areas where there is a higher concentration of Hispanic families. These families fit the racial profile of people that ICE often targets. Many times, they do not even consider whether their “targets” are U.S. citizens. This creates fear that we may be viewed as suspicious simply because we fit a certain racial profile or speak Spanish, which increases tension within the community.
Our Community Responds
Living in a place like this makes us more united and empathetic. Many people have the same concerns. Therefore, we stay informed about what happens in our community. We take steps to feel more secure and prepared for any situation. We want to make sure our homes are safe. One step we have taken is to follow community organizations such as the “El Paso Rapid Response Network” on Facebook and Instagram. Here people share alerts about ICE activity in different parts of the city. These pages help us stay informed and reduce panic by sharing reliable information.
AFTER YOU READ:
1. Where does Frida get a feeling of peace and security? What disrupts this feeling? Be specific.
2. What steps has Frida’s community taken to feel more safe in their homes?
2. Research ICE rapid response organizations in your community.
Frida Victoria Quintana is a student at Ysleta Community Learning Center in El Paso, Texas. She has a degree in Accounting from Mexico and is continuing her education, so she can grow professionally and help her community in the future.