Thread: ICE internal investigation clears officers of abuse, critics

ICE internal investigation clears officers of abuse, critics claim whitewash
By Eartha Jane Melzer | 08.09.11 | 11:31 am

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation into allegations of racial profiling and abuse by federal agents in the Detroit area has cleared officials of any wrongdoing and prompted bitter disappointment among immigrant rights advocates.

In April ICE Director John Morton met with community groups in Detroit and promised to investigate reports that officers triggered panic and disrupted learning by following parents as they dropped off and picked up their kids at Hope of Detroit Academy and Neinas Elementary School in predominately Latino Southwest Detroit.

According to the Alliance for Immigrants Rights and Reform Michigan, the incidents at the schools are part of a pattern of Detroit area ICE agent behavior that has included warrantless searches, a mother strip searched in front of her son, detainees, including a pregnant woman, denied needed medicines in jail, an immigrant shoved through a wall by agents, and harassment of American citizens.

The ICE Office of Professional Responsibility report on the investigation into these incidents, however, found that officers did not engage in any abuse or professional misconduct.

The report — provided to Michigan Messenger last week — also claims that the enforcement action near Hope of Detroit Academy, did not violate an agency policy against enforcement at sensitive locations because it took place blocks away from the school.

ICE spokesman Brian P. Hale put a positive spin on the investigation.

The incidents at the schools, he said in a statement, “have provided the agency an additional opportunity to reiterate its policies governing [Enforcement and Removal Operations] involving sensitive locations in a manner that addresses community concerns and is appropriate under the law.â€

Blah blah blah..these idiots have the nerve to spout about conflict of interest and violating policies??? LMAO..they should know about conflict of interests and violating policies, eh? Can you say I.L.L.E.G.A.L A.L.I.E.N.S?

GO ICE!! We demand MORE enforcement! Do your jobs!!!