I was appalled after reading the article by Paula Reed Ward about local ICE raids (“‘Lives shattered’: Emiliano’s vows to reopen after feds seize 16 in immigration raid,” Aug. 7, TribLive).
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on these restaurants were not done to simply detain “illegal aliens,” but rather to intimidate and destroy. I often hear people supporting these kinds of raids in the name of legal immigration. But, while I agree that immigration is an important issue, these raids are unacceptable.
How can we defend the inhumanity? How can we defend the violence against people who were at work trying to serve our community? How can we justify the property damage and disregard for the welfare of small Pennsylvania businesses?
For the people who support these ICE raids (and to those who mask up and participate in them), please do not call yourselves American patriots, do not fly your American flags and do not preach to us about your faith in God. True patriots support a country that aspires to be better than this.
Let us make our voices heard by calling or writing our representatives, donating to advocacy organizations, volunteering in the community and speaking up when we can. And, if you are feeling like Mexican, go eat at Emiliano’s.
Mandy Yokim
Marshall