Shutdown or Not, The Deportation Machine Keeps Humming
📰 THE STORY: Newsweek reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, including deportations and detention, continue unaffected by government shutdowns because its staff are deemed 'essential' personnel. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: ICE was created in 2003 as part of the Department of Homeland Security in the post-9/11 wave of securitization. Its
powers and budget exploded, with a significant portion dedicated to internal enforcement, far beyond its initial border security mandate. Before 2003, immigration enforcement was handled by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), which focused more on processing and less on punitive internal enforcement. This shift saw immigration issues reframed as national security threats, allowing
for unprecedented expansion of power and budget, including billions for detention facilities. Double Standard: While reports focus on the 'necessity' of ICE's operations for 'national security,' there's rarely equivalent scrutiny or outrage when other critical government services, such as social welfare programs, environmental protection agencies, or healthcare initiatives, are halted or defunded
during shutdowns, impacting millions of citizens and residents. The prioritization of punitive state power over social services reveals a clear ideological bias. Follow the Money: The private prison industry, a major lobbying force, heavily benefits from ICE detentions. Companies like CoreCivic and GEO Group receive billions in taxpayer dollars annually to house detainees, creating a significant