ICE Agents Can Be Arrested? Next, We'll Hear Politicians Are Accountable.
A federal judge in Chicago has clarified that local authorities can arrest ICE agents who commit crimes during their duties, suggesting that the Fourth Amendment might just extend to everyone, even those conducting warrantless raids. The ruling stems from a 2018 incident where an ICE agent allegedly obstructed justice. It appears the concept of 'unlawful actions' only pertains to civilians until a
judge points out agents are not, in fact, sovereign entities. One might wonder what took so long for this basic tenet to be reaffirmed. This ruling is hailed as a victory for civil liberties, yet it merely states that agents aren't above the law—a principle that shouldn't require a judicial decree. Meanwhile, politicians regularly legislate with apparent impunity, their votes often aligning
suspiciously well with significant campaign contributions. For example, OpenSecrets.org routinely shows how special interest groups, like the pharmaceutical lobby or firearms manufacturers, funnel millions to lawmakers, who then vote favorably on legislation (e.g., specific bills to protect drug pricing or gun sales). How many such 'unlawful actions' by elected officials, legally gray but morally
bankrupt, go unchecked? Apparently, actual criminality by badge-wielders is newsworthy; ethical breaches by check-wielding officials, not so much.