ICE criticism was due to its tyrannical treatment of US citizens

Dear editor:

In response to Jack Nielsen’s personal attacks, I am a lifelong Republican. I was born and raised on a ranch in Montana. I spent five years in the military and 30 years in the oil and gas industry. For years I held a security clearance requiring a polygraph and oath renewal twice a year so I have taken the Oath to Defend the Constitution more times than I can remember. 

I take that oath seriously, not just when it is easy, or convenient, or when it aligns with my own politics.

I am capable of thinking for myself, not blindly following an ideology.

I believe in the US Constitution. I support the freedoms that have made the United States the greatest country in the world. All citizens are equal in the eyes of the law. All citizens have a variety of unalienable rights including the right of due process. Due process requires judicial review between arrest and sentencing. 

It is not up to the arresting officer to be judge and jury. To impose transportation to a distant facility for an indefinite stay. Or to implement execution on the street.

The fact that Mr. Nielsen thinks that ICE should have the power to deport me back to the “West Coast” confirms he does not understand or believe in the Constitution.

My criticisms of ICE are about their tyrannical treatment of US Citizens. If the people who responded had actually read my letter, they would know it was not about undocumented immigrants.

People mentioned the videos. I have spent considerable time studying them. 

There are over four videos that show the entire incident with Alex Pretti. All of them show an ICE agent violently pushing a woman to the ground. Alex went to help her at which time ICE agents pepper sprayed them and threw him to the ground. 

Alex was legally armed, his Second Amendment right. At no time did he reach for his weapon. 

Eight ICE agents were holding him down. One saw his gun, removed it, and left the scene. After Alex’s gun was removed another ICE agent shot him in the back while he was being held immobile. Two ICE agents fired 10 shots point blank into Alex.

There are also at least seven videos showing the entirety of the Renee Good incident.

If shooting Good was legal and aboveboard, why did several ICE agents decide to remove Ross from the scene prior to any ICE supervisory officers or personnel from other law enforcement agencies arriving? The crowd was screaming at them but there was no physical threat and they were all armed.

You won’t find the complete videos on Fox. But numerous news sources and video analysis companies have made them available.

I did not disparage Sheriff Blackburn. I think he has done an admirable job since being elected Sheriff. My concern is that his reputation, and the reputation of the Sheriff’s Department, may be tarnished by having a contract with a group with fascist tendencies. 

Many other local law enforcement agencies have signed up with ICE, some are already regretting it and terminating their contracts.

I do apologize for disparaging dogs, that was uncalled for.

Steve Helburn

Greybull