When 'Rule of Law' Meets Wielding a Big Stick, Guess Who Wins
THE ACTORS: Who is involved in this story? At the forefront are U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut, appointed by former President Trump, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, the primary enforcement arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Oregon Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oregon brought this
lawsuit, representing the interests of potentially hundreds of immigrants subjected to warrantless arrests in the state. THE FUNDING: Where does their money come from? ICE operates on a substantial fraction of the DHS budget, which received over $90 billion in appropriations for fiscal year 2024 (Congressional Research Service, 2023). A significant portion, around $9 billion, is allocated to
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and ICE. This funding supports thousands of agents and an extensive surveillance and enforcement apparatus. The ACLU, on the other hand, is a non-profit organization funded primarily through membership dues and donations, totaling over $300 million annually (ACLU Financials, 2022). THE INCENTIVES: What do they gain from this narrative? ICE agents gain perceived
effectiveness and operational freedom by conducting warrantless arrests, often celebrated by those who demand 'tough' immigration enforcement. Their incentives are often tied to metrics of arrests and deportations. For the ACLU and IRCO, victories like this reinforce their mission, potentially drawing more support and funding from those concerned about civil liberties and immigrant rights. Judge