Newsweek Maps 'Economic Blackout' Protests While Ignoring the Architect of ICE's Expansion
📰 THE STORY: Newsweek reported on nationwide 'economic blackout' events organized to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), presenting a map of planned actions across various cities. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: ICE was created in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, a massive expansion of federal power driven by
the 'War on Terror.' Its predecessor, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), while militarized, did not possess the same level of federal enforcement and deportation capabilities. The 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) laid much of the groundwork for increased deportations, signed into law by Bill Clinton, leading to a dramatic rise in detentions
and removals of even long-term residents. Double Standard: Western media often demonizes migrant communities and activists protesting their treatment while largely ignoring the root causes of migration – many of which are direct results of U.S. foreign policy. For instance, the 2009 U.S.-backed coup in Honduras created a surge in instability and violence, directly leading to increased forced
migration from the region. Yet, the focus remains on 'border security' and 'economic blackouts' rather than the imperial pipeline of displacement. Follow the Money: The private prison industry, including corporations like CoreCivic and GEO Group, heavily lobbies Congress and state governments, benefiting immensely from increased ICE detentions and contracts. These companies have poured millions