Wanted Signs. Are They Appropriate?
- Miriam Frutos Rodriguez
- Oct 15, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: May 28, 2021
BURBANK, CA - Wanted billboards are being placed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency throughout Pennsylvania as of last Friday. According to ICE officials, the billboards are to educate on the dangers of sanctuary cities.
(Credit: Ice.gov // Wanted Billboard)
According to the ICE press release, the billboard would include a photo of the person, their charges, which department released them, a number to call, and a header that reads "Wanted By ICE." These billboards consist of charged but never convicted individuals with crimes ranging from robbery to aggravated assault.
Trump's based his entire campaign and presidency on deporting undocumented immigrants.
In an interview with Camilo Montoya-Galvez, David Lapan a former senior official for the Department of Homeland Security, told CBS News, "If we are operating under the presumption of innocence until proven guilty and fair trial, why call out immigrants in that way? It is not something we would do with citizens. Why should we do that with immigrants?"
Mike Dunn, the spokesperson for the city of Philadelphia, said they cooperate with ICE officials as long as they have a warrant signed by a judge.
Sanctuary cities are known for protecting immigrant communities. In states like New York and California, officials do this to fight crime as they believe that otherwise undocumented people will not report crimes they experience.
ICE officials call this a threat to public safety. They have said they will continue to remove those who are here unlawfully. According to their website, lack of cooperation from states results in releasing these people into the streets and allowing them the opportunity to re- offend.
Citizens have also shared their opinion. Travis Butler, 51, a member of the U.S. Army, had this to say. “I hope the first thing Joe and Kamala do is defund and disband ICE. Second, roll back all of Trump’s immigration laws that it so difficult to immigrate here.”
By: Miriam Frutos Rodriguez
Contribution: CBS News
Photo: ICE.gov
Audio: Miriam Frutos Rodriguez (commentary)
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