According to Encyclopedia Britannica,  “Authoritarianism, in politics and government, the blind submission to authority and the repression of individual freedom of thought and action. Authoritarian regimes are systems of government that have no established mechanism for the transfer of executive power and do not afford their citizens civil liberties or political rights. Power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or a small elite, whose decisions are taken without regard for the will of the people.” 

The biggest problems always start small- a simple disobeying of the rules. First, there were 34 convicted felony accounts. Then ignored federal court orders, followed by the illegal placement of the National Guard in California. The words “unconstitutional” started to appear slowly in the president’s morning bowl of alphabet soup. 

The I.C.E  (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) became funded, the immigrants- hunted. The megalomaniacal plan started to seem like it would come to fruition. Federal troops “ethnically cleansed” Washington D.C.. Troops “ethnically cleansed” Portland. Which city falls victim next? 

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, I.C.E. has become a symbol not of security, but of cruelty and political manipulation. While immigration enforcement is completely necessary for any nation, this use of I.C.E. has crossed moral and legal lines. The weaponization of a government agency into a political asset that is used to torment families, children and communities speaks volumes about what the future could hold. The Trump administration’s actions have shown a pattern more focused on fear and division than justice or humanity. 

At its core, immigration enforcement should balance national security with ethics. Having masked gunmen complete raids on individuals’ homes (some of which are completely legal citizens) does not show the people that ethics are a priority. Agents are being deployed in workplaces, schools, even courthouses, tearing apart families and “detaining” long-time residents who have been living in and contributing to American society for decades.  

Trump’s use of I.C.E. should send off warning flags in every category. People here on student visas should not need to fear detainment when walking on the streets. Families in “sanctuary” cities should not need to flee from a place deemed “safe” due to threats like I.C.E..  I.C.E. has eroded the moral foundation and ideals that our very forefathers envisioned for the people. The United States has long been a country built on immigration, a country that fights for the oppressed and whose people have fought for equality. 

Yet, under Trump, I.C.E. has become a mechanism for the president’s selective justice- an attempt to “cleanse” the poor, powerless, nationless individuals. In doing this, he has continued in disobeying the rules set by the founding documents of our country, those that speak for due process and freedom for all. And, according to NBC, he thinks  “they haven’t gone far enough.”

Ultimately, the issue is not that our country is enforcing immigration laws- it is how they are doing it. By using I.C.E. As his judge, jury and even executioner, Trump has abandoned principles of compassion, fairness and the justice that a “democracy” should have. Power without morals is tyranny, and Trump’s use of I.C.E. stands as one of the clearest examples of that maxim in American history.