In a recent address to the graduating class of the University of Minnesota Law School, Minnesota's Democratic Governor Tim Walz made a controversial comparison between the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and the Gestapo, the secret police of Adolf Hitler's National Socialist regime in the 1930s.
The Gestapo, a notorious symbol of the Nazi regime's brutalities, was responsible for the murder of countless individuals across Europe.
According to Breitbart, Walz's comparison is not only historically inaccurate but also undermines the crucial role ICE plays in safeguarding American borders, communities, and livelihoods from the potential negative impacts of mass migration. The agency's operations often result in wage increases for ordinary Americans by reducing the influx of cheap labor.
This, in turn, lessens the need for welfare payments, a policy frequently advocated by Walz and his fellow Democrats.
Steve Miller, a senior aide to President Donald Trump, reacted strongly to Walz's remarks, stating, "This vile anti-American language can only be construed as inciting insurrection and violence." The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, also condemned the comparison, noting the significant increase in assaults on ICE officers and the unfair demonization of the agency.
In his speech, Walz painted a grim picture of ICE operations, stating, "Donald Trumps modern-day Gestapo is scooping folks up off the streets. Theyre in unmarked vans, wearing masks, being shipped off to foreign torture dungeons. No chance to mount a defense, not even a chance to kiss a loved one goodbye, just grabbed up by masked agents, shoved into those vans, and disappeared."
This rhetoric appears to be a strategic move by the Democrats to rally their progressive base following their defeat in the 2024 election, where they nominated a weak and unpopular candidate, Kamala Harris. The Democrats are also attempting to discredit and obstruct Trump's campaign promise to deport millions of illegal immigrants who were invited into the country during President Joe Biden's tenure.
However, the American public largely supports the deportation of illegal immigrants, recognizing their negative impact on wages, housing costs, public services, and innovation. Walz's claims are misleading, as migrants' legal claims are heard by immigration judges, not criminal courts. Deportation orders are only granted after migrants have been given multiple opportunities to plead their case, a process that often takes years.
Walz's characterization of migrants as "folks" is also problematic, as many are not American citizens and some have criminal records. For instance, Breitbart reported on a case in May 2023 where an illegal immigrant from Cuba, who should have been deported a decade ago, committed a gruesome murder in Minnesota.
In the 2024 election, Walz and Harris were defeated by Trump, who promised to enforce the nation's immigration laws. Despite strong opposition from the Democratic Party, Trump continues to enjoy robust support for his policies. A July 2024 poll commissioned by the Catholic Church revealed that 43 percent of self-identified Catholics favored less migration, while only 23 percent wanted more.
Walz's inflammatory remarks not only distort the reality of ICE's operations but also undermine the agency's crucial role in protecting American citizens and upholding the rule of law.
As the debate on immigration continues, it is essential to remember that the enforcement of immigration laws is a democratic mandate, not a manifestation of tyranny.
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