ProPublica and
The Inquirer have co-published an expose detailing the routine and systematic violation of the rights of undocumented their own rules and regulations in the apprehension of undocumented aliens. While the Philadelphia office was called expecially aggressive, ICE agents routinely ignore the law when it comes to accessing private property and demanding documentation of workers’ legal status. Especially offensive is the practice of targeting workers solely based on their race. So, without anything more, Hispanic-Americans have joined African-Americans in being profiled by their race as likely having committed a crime.
Last month, a Philadelphia immigration judge used strong words in describing agent conduct, saying there was a strong argument that ICE officers had “egregiously violated” the Constitution. Agency indifference to constitutional infringement could be seen in the fact that ICE presented no evidence to counter allegations of racial profiling.
Unfortunately for these targeted persons, they are not headed to criminal court. If they were, a finding like that of the immigration judge would likely result in their going free. In immigration courts, though, ICE’s failing to dispute charges of racial profiling won’t help. Even when immigrants manage to prove they have been racially profiled, they can get deported anyway.
