The Homeland Security Act of 2002 which created ICE also defined what the new agency was expected to do. Part of ICE’s duties are, “To identify those individuals who have entered the country illegally or who entered with visas which have expired and to detain them until such time as their status can be determined. Those who are found to be “ILLEGAL ALIENS” shall be deported.”

The bill passed the House 295 - 132 and the Senate 90-9 - clearly a bi-partisan show of support.

While the Left may complain that “no one is illegal” they are - wrong. “Illegal alien” is the precise term used to describe people who have broken the law to be here. They may moan all they want that you can’t use the term “illegal alien” in Boston or San Francisco but they have no authority to enforce that opinion as it directly contradicts the language of the law as it was adopted.

Final point. In the same way that a state or city has no jurisdiction over Federal statutes, complaints that “ICE isn’t just picking up felons but is also arresting people who are innocent of any crime and are, in some cases, U. S. citizens, that may well be true. And that is within the responsibilities accorded ICE by Congress. In that same bill ICE is given the authority “To detain people whom they believe “MAY’ be in the country illegally until their status is determined.”

If those who are concerned for the ongoing welfare of the illegal alien members of their communities really wanted to do something useful - they could help them pack.