A former official at the immigration agency and several recent analyses reveal deficiencies in instruction programs for recruits, and warn of the risk that it will lead to more deaths and illegal detentions
The training of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents has been called into question in recent months. Excessive use of force by immigration agents during arrests, violations of citizens’ rights, trespassing, and inhumane treatment of detainees have been common criticisms of their methods. Public outrage reached a fever pitch with the killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in January by federal agents.
Several recent studies, the testimony before Congress of a former ICE employee, and a Senate report show that the training time for agents has been reduced by between 40% and 50%, although the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is in charge of immigration enforcement, denies this.
Former ICE instructor and attorney Ryan Schwank, who resigned from his post in February, told Congress last week that the training given to new agents is inadequate and will have serious consequences, including deaths. “I am duty bound to tell you the ICE Basic Immigration Enforcement Training Program is now deficient, defective, and broken,” he said in his testimony. “Deficient training can and will cause deaths. It can and will cause unlawful arrests, violations of constitutional rights, and fundamental loss of public trust in law enforcement.” ICE, he added,...
CLAIM: Videos purported to show damage and missile impacts in Israel amid its war with Iran. Unverified rumours accompanied them about the purported deaths of high-profile Israelis.BACKGROUND: Litt...