Dems need to make clear they are for reining in ICE, *and* stopping mass deportation and the expansion of the detention centers. We must stand up for our neighbors.
Local communities. We need to find out who is working on each one and support them. It's a project. Simon posted a map a few days ago of all the detention centers.
I read a post a few days ago from someone who described that ICE had managed to purchase a warehouse before the community was able to organize against it, so residents were now preparing to photograph the vehicles going in and out of the facility. I think they plan to shame any local contractors who take jobs there.
Can we start calling them "concentration camps" (which is what they are becoming)? I think "detention centers" sanitizes what is happening in these hellholes in our name using our money. Thanks!
I am not at the point of calling them concentration camps. I think we need to focus on this concept of "detention" - for it is core to the abuse of power and lawlessness we are seeing. Second, people are not being sent to these places to die. They are being sent there to be deported. I am not convinced that "concentration camp" is the right term, right now, though I know others are going there.
HCR calls them concentration camps not death camps. They are concentrating large groups of people together in one place. But people equate concentration camp with death camps
The concentration of people in them means they are poised to become death camps any time. And people have died / are dying in them now. Even one death is too many of course.
I’m going with Heather Cox Richardson, and my reading of history, and calling them concentration camps despite the conflation with the true death camps. Herding people based on ethnicity and political views into inhumane conditions with little hope of release or due process is too much like the beginnings of Dachau to ignore. “Detention” sounds like where you go after being bad in high school, too tame….
I am going to keep pushing back on the analogy for I think it is imperfect. If you listen to my conversation with Aaron R-M they are using the detention system to hasten deportation. They don't want these people to stay. They want them to leave. This isn't about herding people into camps. It is about using the camps to get them to leave the country.
They want 15-25m to leave, not to send them to camps. Even the expanded camps get them to 170,000 people. Their ambitions are far, far greater than that, as A R-M and I discuss.
We need to be calling our Congressional reps and demand they rein in ICE and end mass deportation and the expansion of the detention centers. We are not there yet and have work to do, together.
You just gave me my script when I call my senators and congressional rep tomorrow. Rein in ICE, end mass deportations and end expansion of the detention centers.
My lightly edited script, with thanks to Simon, that I'll use for my 3 reps (D) and governor (R): "We want to not just rein in ICE but also to end the mass deportation campaign that is tearing up communities and families and doing incredible harm to our economy, not to mention our humanity; block the expansion of the detention centers; and force DHS to stop the inhumane treatment of people they have seized, in many cases, illegally. Polling is clear: the people are on our side."
That video detailing the conditions of these poor people makes me heartsick. I feel like my entire chest cavity is burning up. The evil and inhumanity are enraging.
In Merrimack, NH (my state), Gov Kelly Ayotte (R) "didn't know" about the warehouse the feds were buying, and one official in her admin, who allegedly didn't tell her about it, resigned. (We are a purple state that I pray turns blue in Nov.) I find it hard to believe Ayotte had no idea, but she's getting yet another angry call from me tomorrow (I want to talk to a person). It's a challenge to not yell at people answering phones, as I feel most days like I'm spitting nails.
As previously noted in the chat, this month New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Immigrant Safety Act into law to stop the detention centers. It "prohibits public bodies from entering into, renewing or extending agreements to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations." Here is the text. https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/26%20Regular/Amendments_In_Context/HB0009.pdf
And hows this for irony: The biggest Constitutional/democracy defenders are STATES: Illinois, Minnesota, California, Oregon, New Jersey/Virginia, -- governors, state attorneys general, VOTERS. Who would have guesssed-- Hooray for States Rights and State powers beating back the corrupt traitorous federal government trumpy officials!!
I remember thinking about 20 years ago, when sociologists forecast that White people would be less than 50% of Americans by 2030, “this is going to get bad.” I had no idea how bad. I couldn’t even have imagined it.
The other thing I didn’t imagine was how hard Americans would fight racist efforts, and stand up for their neighbors. I think this fight was inevitable, however much I wish otherwise, but watching ordinary people choose the right side of history is inspiring.
(I know the forecast has been revised, but I don’t know what it is now.)
Yesterday, we had a great protest at our usual spot. Lots of excellent response from people here at the Jersey Shore. As these stories continue to come out, we are getting increasing support and opposition is very minimal. I think we are seeing with our own eyes that the tide is turning in terms of how people feel about all that is going on.
We’re seeing terrible things w ICE raids happening down in South Jersey in Camden, but there have been interviews with people protesting for the first time. That is how we hit critical mass with this movement.
For these detention centers, we just need to keep screaming and yelling about it and making a big stink. That is the only way. And they will pay. Keep that image in your mind of Nuremberg style hearings. They will go on for years. We will rake them over the coals as they deserve. It’s dangerous and not healthy to carry around white hot rage all the time, but it is definitely an appropriate response and we need to channel and use it when necessary. Thank you for reporting these stories and staying on top of the numbers, Simon. It makes it so much easier to understand the trajectory and get a handle on the current situation. Keep going!
Republicans are scared of what the minority Dems in the House and Senate have been able to accomplish. They now realize that their constituents are holding their feet to the fire if they do not band together. There are those Dems who put stakes in our hearts when they vote with Repubs and we must replace them with progressives. WE will because our daily and weekly actions are powerful.
Simon, I have a question for you: Once we regain control of Congress and the presidency, can we rescind any pardons issued by the Trump regime?
I love this framing and would be so happy if the Democrats committed to it, not just about immigrants, but about everyone. Any "identity politics" slam should be met with "you mean protecting our neighbors?" Time to reframe their attacks on marginalized people, and seize on it.
Speaking of reframing, one note: I wonder if we might focus on "violent" criminals instead of "criminals." In a world where people argue that a young Black man deserved to die because he was "jaywalking," and where people with traffic infractions and minor drug charges years ago are getting framed as criminals, I think we should be careful. *We* know what we mean by "criminals," but ....
Also, there hasn't been a ton of talk about "self-deportation," but it's absolutely happening here, entirely as Simon describes. Better go back to a dangerous home country than get taken and disappeared by ICE. Would love to see more conversation about that out there in the word. The losses in Minnesota are incalculable.
I have a student whose father self deported. The family is broken up now. My student has such a sad look in his eyes now. I taught him last spring, before this happened, and have him again this semester. I can see the difference.
I think one can make an argument the detention centers, amongst other violations, are illegal via the 8th Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment. People sleeping in a warehouse with no legal recourse, maybe for months, is not acceptable.
Do any of the True Believer fundies on the pro-ICE side of things ever ask themselves WWJD? Or is that not a thing anymore? Somehow, I just can't imagine much heavenly enthusiasm for this nasty business, let alone blessings.
elected dems need to take on these camps. this will be a huge issue. so the dems need to grab a hold of it and run with it. also, elected dems need to bring up and try to pass the comprehensive immigration legislation satan killed to get reelected. if we can pass this, there will be less reliance on ice, border patrol, detention camps, etc etc. will take the air right out of the issue, save lives and keep our neighbors safe. lets get rid of this wedge issue once and for all. america needs immigrants. they are part of the fabric that built this country and keep it going.
Dems must stay strong and be more vocal in the DHS shutdown. Emphasize willingness to fund TSA, FEMA, etc. but not DHS until demands are met. The stories about Noem firing the pilot over her blankie show even DHS people are disgusted with her. ICE will never regain trust nor will Trump and Republicans after deaths of Renee and Alex. Keep them front and center, a turning point like Kent State.
“The restrictionist movement that Stephen Miller came arose from was so aware that of the lack of public support for “mass deportation” that they moved away from it 15-16 years ago…”
Far be it from me to correct a professional writer, but you might want to give this line another look…
Wow…. High School Students 🧍🏼🧍♂️🧍🏽♂️.. across the country are taking it to the streets ….EVERY ONE has the right and to some measure the OBLIGATION to live out their GOD GIVEN RIGHT to freely express themselves. God bless our HIGH SCHOOL HEROS🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏
And… God Bless the ACLU for seeking to protect them when BAD ACTORS in government want to shut them up and put them down.
Good Afternoon, Simon. I have just finished reading Greg Sargent's Excellent Post. Thank you Greg, that was Powerful. Thanks for mentioning it Simon.
And Kate, thank you for the music. I was singing and dancing!
I called the three Representatives and said We Must Rein in ICE, We must Rein in ICE. We must end the Violence and the Lawlessness, Narrow the Targets and Focus on the Criminals.
And You must STOP the building of the Detention Warehouses. " I heard what you said, Simon."
Who is stopping the detention centers? Which Senators, Congresspeople, Governors, NGOs?
Local communities. We need to find out who is working on each one and support them. It's a project. Simon posted a map a few days ago of all the detention centers.
I read a post a few days ago from someone who described that ICE had managed to purchase a warehouse before the community was able to organize against it, so residents were now preparing to photograph the vehicles going in and out of the facility. I think they plan to shame any local contractors who take jobs there.
That’s a great idea!
Can we start calling them "concentration camps" (which is what they are becoming)? I think "detention centers" sanitizes what is happening in these hellholes in our name using our money. Thanks!
I am not at the point of calling them concentration camps. I think we need to focus on this concept of "detention" - for it is core to the abuse of power and lawlessness we are seeing. Second, people are not being sent to these places to die. They are being sent there to be deported. I am not convinced that "concentration camp" is the right term, right now, though I know others are going there.
Thank you, Simon. Your explanation really helps.
HCR calls them concentration camps not death camps. They are concentrating large groups of people together in one place. But people equate concentration camp with death camps
The concentration of people in them means they are poised to become death camps any time. And people have died / are dying in them now. Even one death is too many of course.
These fit the definition of concentration camps. Death camps are something else again.
I’m going with Heather Cox Richardson, and my reading of history, and calling them concentration camps despite the conflation with the true death camps. Herding people based on ethnicity and political views into inhumane conditions with little hope of release or due process is too much like the beginnings of Dachau to ignore. “Detention” sounds like where you go after being bad in high school, too tame….
I am going to keep pushing back on the analogy for I think it is imperfect. If you listen to my conversation with Aaron R-M they are using the detention system to hasten deportation. They don't want these people to stay. They want them to leave. This isn't about herding people into camps. It is about using the camps to get them to leave the country.
In Germany no one would take the Jews so they were killed. Could we get there? Someday, as I write today, but that is not what is happening now.
They want 15-25m to leave, not to send them to camps. Even the expanded camps get them to 170,000 people. Their ambitions are far, far greater than that, as A R-M and I discuss.
We need to be calling our Congressional reps and demand they rein in ICE and end mass deportation and the expansion of the detention centers. We are not there yet and have work to do, together.
You just gave me my script when I call my senators and congressional rep tomorrow. Rein in ICE, end mass deportations and end expansion of the detention centers.
My lightly edited script, with thanks to Simon, that I'll use for my 3 reps (D) and governor (R): "We want to not just rein in ICE but also to end the mass deportation campaign that is tearing up communities and families and doing incredible harm to our economy, not to mention our humanity; block the expansion of the detention centers; and force DHS to stop the inhumane treatment of people they have seized, in many cases, illegally. Polling is clear: the people are on our side."
That video detailing the conditions of these poor people makes me heartsick. I feel like my entire chest cavity is burning up. The evil and inhumanity are enraging.
In Merrimack, NH (my state), Gov Kelly Ayotte (R) "didn't know" about the warehouse the feds were buying, and one official in her admin, who allegedly didn't tell her about it, resigned. (We are a purple state that I pray turns blue in Nov.) I find it hard to believe Ayotte had no idea, but she's getting yet another angry call from me tomorrow (I want to talk to a person). It's a challenge to not yell at people answering phones, as I feel most days like I'm spitting nails.
Check out this map, tho it may be incomplete: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1EO-MjP8maewSODl3aE5XIizDl1cCJAI&ll=36.00644463556674%2C-91.91867418600074&z=4
As previously noted in the chat, this month New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Immigrant Safety Act into law to stop the detention centers. It "prohibits public bodies from entering into, renewing or extending agreements to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations." Here is the text. https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/26%20Regular/Amendments_In_Context/HB0009.pdf
and reports about it
https://www.aclu-nm.org/press-releases/governor-signs-immigrant-safety-act-into-law/
https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2026/02/05/bill-to-close-ice-facilities-in-new-mexico-signed-into-law-by-gov/
Eight other states have enacted similar legislation.
Previous posts: https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/american-people-firmly-behind-drive/comment/209869969
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/american-people-firmly-behind-drive/comment/209834916
Here's a great 3 minute uplift! Dan Rather posted the song created by Playing for Change. Listen now and DANCE and smile!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g4UWvcZn5U&list=RD-g4UWvcZn5U&start_radio=1
A great"exhaust valve" for all the tension I've been feeling lately! Thank you.
just great!!
And hows this for irony: The biggest Constitutional/democracy defenders are STATES: Illinois, Minnesota, California, Oregon, New Jersey/Virginia, -- governors, state attorneys general, VOTERS. Who would have guesssed-- Hooray for States Rights and State powers beating back the corrupt traitorous federal government trumpy officials!!
The Civil War stood on its head! Hilarious!
I am not sure if anyone has posted this guardian piece yet, but it has information relevant to our projects: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/15/texas-organizers-republicans
I remember thinking about 20 years ago, when sociologists forecast that White people would be less than 50% of Americans by 2030, “this is going to get bad.” I had no idea how bad. I couldn’t even have imagined it.
The other thing I didn’t imagine was how hard Americans would fight racist efforts, and stand up for their neighbors. I think this fight was inevitable, however much I wish otherwise, but watching ordinary people choose the right side of history is inspiring.
(I know the forecast has been revised, but I don’t know what it is now.)
Yesterday, we had a great protest at our usual spot. Lots of excellent response from people here at the Jersey Shore. As these stories continue to come out, we are getting increasing support and opposition is very minimal. I think we are seeing with our own eyes that the tide is turning in terms of how people feel about all that is going on.
We’re seeing terrible things w ICE raids happening down in South Jersey in Camden, but there have been interviews with people protesting for the first time. That is how we hit critical mass with this movement.
For these detention centers, we just need to keep screaming and yelling about it and making a big stink. That is the only way. And they will pay. Keep that image in your mind of Nuremberg style hearings. They will go on for years. We will rake them over the coals as they deserve. It’s dangerous and not healthy to carry around white hot rage all the time, but it is definitely an appropriate response and we need to channel and use it when necessary. Thank you for reporting these stories and staying on top of the numbers, Simon. It makes it so much easier to understand the trajectory and get a handle on the current situation. Keep going!
Republicans are scared of what the minority Dems in the House and Senate have been able to accomplish. They now realize that their constituents are holding their feet to the fire if they do not band together. There are those Dems who put stakes in our hearts when they vote with Repubs and we must replace them with progressives. WE will because our daily and weekly actions are powerful.
Simon, I have a question for you: Once we regain control of Congress and the presidency, can we rescind any pardons issued by the Trump regime?
https://youtu.be/hAGr6J3ID3Q?si=IDz1fYIn9L7GBikt
It doesn’t matter what your political persuasion is. Overstaying a visa is a misdemeanor. You don’t need a standing army to enforce a misdemeanor.
Plus it is not a criminal misdemeanor -- it is a civil matter.
I love this framing and would be so happy if the Democrats committed to it, not just about immigrants, but about everyone. Any "identity politics" slam should be met with "you mean protecting our neighbors?" Time to reframe their attacks on marginalized people, and seize on it.
Speaking of reframing, one note: I wonder if we might focus on "violent" criminals instead of "criminals." In a world where people argue that a young Black man deserved to die because he was "jaywalking," and where people with traffic infractions and minor drug charges years ago are getting framed as criminals, I think we should be careful. *We* know what we mean by "criminals," but ....
Also, there hasn't been a ton of talk about "self-deportation," but it's absolutely happening here, entirely as Simon describes. Better go back to a dangerous home country than get taken and disappeared by ICE. Would love to see more conversation about that out there in the word. The losses in Minnesota are incalculable.
I have a student whose father self deported. The family is broken up now. My student has such a sad look in his eyes now. I taught him last spring, before this happened, and have him again this semester. I can see the difference.
Working on postcards today.
I think one can make an argument the detention centers, amongst other violations, are illegal via the 8th Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment. People sleeping in a warehouse with no legal recourse, maybe for months, is not acceptable.
Do any of the True Believer fundies on the pro-ICE side of things ever ask themselves WWJD? Or is that not a thing anymore? Somehow, I just can't imagine much heavenly enthusiasm for this nasty business, let alone blessings.
Cruel and unusual punishment for sure.
elected dems need to take on these camps. this will be a huge issue. so the dems need to grab a hold of it and run with it. also, elected dems need to bring up and try to pass the comprehensive immigration legislation satan killed to get reelected. if we can pass this, there will be less reliance on ice, border patrol, detention camps, etc etc. will take the air right out of the issue, save lives and keep our neighbors safe. lets get rid of this wedge issue once and for all. america needs immigrants. they are part of the fabric that built this country and keep it going.
Dems must stay strong and be more vocal in the DHS shutdown. Emphasize willingness to fund TSA, FEMA, etc. but not DHS until demands are met. The stories about Noem firing the pilot over her blankie show even DHS people are disgusted with her. ICE will never regain trust nor will Trump and Republicans after deaths of Renee and Alex. Keep them front and center, a turning point like Kent State.
“The restrictionist movement that Stephen Miller came arose from was so aware that of the lack of public support for “mass deportation” that they moved away from it 15-16 years ago…”
Far be it from me to correct a professional writer, but you might want to give this line another look…
Will resume actions tomorrow!
Wow…. High School Students 🧍🏼🧍♂️🧍🏽♂️.. across the country are taking it to the streets ….EVERY ONE has the right and to some measure the OBLIGATION to live out their GOD GIVEN RIGHT to freely express themselves. God bless our HIGH SCHOOL HEROS🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏
And… God Bless the ACLU for seeking to protect them when BAD ACTORS in government want to shut them up and put them down.
Supports the ACLU NOW. Go to… aclu.org
Good Afternoon, Simon. I have just finished reading Greg Sargent's Excellent Post. Thank you Greg, that was Powerful. Thanks for mentioning it Simon.
And Kate, thank you for the music. I was singing and dancing!
I called the three Representatives and said We Must Rein in ICE, We must Rein in ICE. We must end the Violence and the Lawlessness, Narrow the Targets and Focus on the Criminals.
And You must STOP the building of the Detention Warehouses. " I heard what you said, Simon."