People being detained and "exported" by ICE

[Lilibet]

they are devolving into an authoritarian state where people's right to due process, freedom of expression, and religious and personal freedoms are at stake and a large segment of the population seem thrilled by it. It's terrifying to witness, but witness it, I will.

Those Branchs, the Constitution and court rulings - even from SCOTUS - don't matter any more to this Executive Branch.

Welcome to the dictatorship.

Thank you both, and others, for stating so clearly what is happening to the U.S.A., for being tyranny trackers, as I say in my signature.

JMO

 

[Vern]

Thank you both for stating so clearly what is happening to the U.S.A., for being tyranny trackers, as I say in my signature.

JMO

And I do use 'dictatorship' as opposed to 'autocracy' due to the fact that Trump did state that his people had to vote .... "and they'd not have to vote anymore. In four years you won't have to vote again we'll have it fixed so good.":

https://twitter.com/x/status/1817620528334606393

It remains to be seen, but clearly the steps have been taken and the foundation built in record time.

.

 

[Simply Southern]

Sounds like you are referring to "Snow Falling on Cedars"? Beautiful, beautiful novel.

No, this was written as seen through the eyes of a teenage daughter. No court fight, they all willingly complied, having no idea the horrific conditions they would be subject to.

 

[Lilibet]

And I do use 'dictatorship' as opposed to 'autocracy' due to the fact that Trump did state that his people had to vote .... "and they'd not have to vote anymore. In four years you won't have to vote again we'll have it fixed so good.":

https://twitter.com/x/status/1817620528334606393

It remains to be seen, but clearly the steps have been taken and the foundation built in record time.

.

Thanks for this, @Vern. A new thought to me.

 

[Lilibet]

I ran across this article today about Trump, Bukele and Abrego Garcia. I think the last two paragraphs sum up the tyranny Trump is imposing on the United States represented by his cruel treatment of one man (not the only one, of course).

Trump to the USA: There is no rule of law

What might he try next? Illegal arrests or deportations of American citizens?

www.motherjones.com

The Supreme Court, in a 9-0 decision, ruled that Xinis’ “order properly requires the government to ‘facilitate’ Abrego Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador.” The only way to ensure that—to abide by the court’s decision—would be for the Trump administration to bring him back, which, no doubt, it could do with a simple request to Bukele.

Yet, as of now, Trump, has not acted to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision. This is the moment that has long been anticipated: the authoritarian-minded Trump defying a court order and essentially claiming that he is above the law and that the rules do not apply to him. He is signaling that he can use government force in the most egregious manner and no one—no court—can stop him. What might he try next? Illegal arrests or deportations of American citizens? In this case, one man has been unjustly condemned to a nightmarish imprisonment. But now all of us are threatened.

BBM

TYRANNY=government by a ruler or small group of people who have unlimited powerover the people in their country or state and use it unfairly and cruelly:

tyranny

1. government by a ruler or small group of people who have unlimited power over…

dictionary.cambridge.org

 

[SouthAussie]

"Trump administration officials have said they will prioritize deporting criminals, but ICE data shows that roughly half of those who were deported in February did not have criminal records, and more than half of those currently in ICE detention have no criminal charges or convictions."

Tracking crossings and attempted crossings at the Southwest border

President Donald Trump came into office promising a crackdown on unauthorized migrants.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[ilovewings]

Thank you both, and others, for stating so clearly what is happening to the U.S.A., for being tyranny trackers, as I say in my signature.

JMO

I find myself watching this incomprehensible drift away from our democracy- and it is occurring so easily isn't it? surprising isn't it? no push back from the GOP who have the power to stop it! so I imagine this is how it went in Germany while people watched it happen and just let it happen---Garcia's case is just the beginning----

 

[SouthAussie]

"A US immigration lawyer born in Massachusetts was mistakenly ordered to leave the country by the Trump administration.

The threatening email read: "DHS is terminating your parole. Do not attempt to remain in the United States -- the federal government will find you."

"The language in the email is very threatening," she told NBC affiliate WBTS-TV. "And it looks kind of like a sketchy spam email. It doesn't look like an official government notice, but it is."

Micheroni, who has practised immigration law for 12 years, said she had never seen immigration parole terminated via email during her career."

Donald Trump mistakenly issues 'deportation' letter to immigration lawyer BORN in the US

Nicole Micheroni from Newton said she was perplexed to receive the letter

www.gbnews.com

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I doubt that it was a "mistake"
More like seeing what they could get away with.

 

[Lilibet]

I find myself watching this incomprehensible drift away from our democracy- and it is occurring so easily isn't it? surprising isn't it? no push back from the GOP who have the power to stop it! so I imagine this is how it went in Germany while people watched it happen and just let it happen---Garcia's case is just the beginning----

Yes, it really is mind-blowing to watch the speed with which this has happened. I figured out early on that there really is no way to stop it. Even if Congress stepped up, Trump can ignore them, just as he is doing the courts. Who will enforce it. Short of impeachment and conviction, what can be done?

I can’t remember if I posted this article by historian and Russia expert Olga Lautman, written shortly after the election. Her predictions are chilling. Many have happened already.

Now That America Elected a Dictator: What Can We Expect?

A Guide to the Worst Case Scenario

olgalautman.substack.com

I sure hate being a Debbie Downer, but it’s our new reality.

JMO

 

[Lilibet]

I doubt that it was a "mistake"
More like seeing what they could get away with.

I absolutely.agree. Just watching about ten minutes of Stephen Miller’s press conference (all I could stomach) convinced me that they are enjoying the cruelty. I turned it off when he referred to illegal immigrants as “invaders.” Terminology like that lets them justify the use of the Alien Enemies Act, which only applies to governments invading, not individuals.

JMO

 

[Lyanna]

The most ironic thing I find, people just throwing the word enemy around wildly with little to no thought about it's meaning. Illegal immigrants are "enemies". I wonder how many understand the meaning of the word. To help people with this, please see below definition on the word enemy

'a person who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another; an adversary or opponent.'

The irony is, it would appear the American Administration and their supporters are the enemies, as they are demonstrating hatred, are fostering harmful designs against others and are engaging in antagonistic activies.

Jmoo, moo, and imoo

 

[ilovewings]

Yes, it really is mind-blowing to watch the speed with which this has happened. I figured out early on that there really is no way to stop it. Even if Congress stepped up, Trump can ignore them, just as he is doing the courts. Who will enforce it. Short of impeachment and conviction, what can be done?

I can’t remember if I posted this article by historian and Russia expert Olga Lautman, written shortly after the election. Her predictions are chilling. Many have happened already.

Now That America Elected a Dictator: What Can We Expect?

A Guide to the Worst Case Scenario

olgalautman.substack.com

I sure hate being a Debbie Downer, but it’s our new reality.

JMO

Her predictions are coming true-- and it is chilling !!!! what is shocking is how fast this is happening--- I think people better be careful what they say on social media like Face Book----or they could get a knock on their door- that is where I see this country today!!!!

 

[Kudzuu]

DBM

 

[Kudzuu]

DBM

 

[fred&edna]

BBM

Thanks for clearing up for all of us your overwhelming interest in convincing us of the legality of the deportation. Again, you are bringing up details w/out considering the overriding the legal principle, which goes back to the Magna Carta

this is the usa, not england. the year is currently 2025, not 1215. and, at this time, and according to our us constitution we have branches of government... some have more power than others.

jmo

 

[Kudzuu]

Yes we have branches of government that need to be stepping up to check the power of the president. Unfortunately, all three branches are led by Trump loyalists.

My 2 senate representatives refuse to hold town halls. They change the requirements to leave a message that will be tallied . Presently you must press #. Previously you had to leave an email address in addition to name and address to prove you are a constituent.

My house representative refuses to have a town hall. He also will not tell his staff his office hours to meet with constituents or where he will be .

The recess is to meet and have town halls with their local constituents.

They do not care about those who are not in lock step with this administration.

I will say one senator responded to my question, but it was just a talking point with no clarification.

Sigh .

 

[Lilibet]

this is the usa, not england. the year is currently 2025, not 1215. and, at this time, and according to our us constitution we have branches of government... some have more power than others.

jmo

I don’t want to derail the thread into a discussion of the Magna Carta except to correct such a dismissive attitude toward it. Historically, the U.S. Constitution owes a great deal to the Magna Carta as understood by the Founding Fathers.

As I’m sure you know, we have three branches of government that operate with a system of checks and balances to prevent one branch from becoming more powerful than another if the checks and balances are observed. However, what we are faced with now is a President (executive branch) who believes he has unlimited power. The Republican legislature won’t exercise its power to check him and he ignores the courts who have no power to enforce their decisions. This was not the intention of the Founding Fathers who were trying to prevent a tyrannical dictator/king wannabe like Donald Trump.

Regarding the Magna Carta’s influence on the U.S. Constitution:

Magna Carta and the U.S. Constitution - Magna Carta: Muse and Mentor | Exhibitions - Library of Congress

Magna Carta exercised a strong influence both on the United States Constitution and on the constitutions of the various states. However, its influence was shaped by what eighteenth-century Americans believed Magna Carta to signify.

www.loc.gov

Magna Carta exercised a strong influence both on the United States Constitution and on the constitutions of the various states. However, its influence was shaped by what eighteenth-century Americans believed Magna Carta to signify. Magna Carta was widely held to be the people’s reassertion of rights against an oppressive ruler, a legacy that captured American distrust of concentrated political power. In part because of this tradition, most of the state constitutions included declarations of rights intended to guarantee individual citizens a list of protections and immunities from the state government. The United States also adopted the Bill of Rights, in part, due to this political conviction.

Both the state declarations of rights and the United States Bill of Rights incorporated several guarantees that were understood at the time of their ratification to descend from rights protected by Magna Carta. Among these are freedom from unlawful searches and seizures, a right to a speedy trial, a right to a jury trial in both a criminal and a civil case, and protection from loss of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

Many broader American constitutional principles have their roots in an eighteenth-century understanding of Magna Carta, such as the theory of representative government, the idea of a supreme law, and judicial review.
————————
Due process, which is an important subject on this thread, also has origins in the Magna Carta.

Due Process of Law - Magna Carta: Muse and Mentor | Exhibitions - Library of Congress

Due process of law is a constitutional guarantee that prevents governments from impacting citizens in an abusive way. In its modern form, due process includes both procedural standards that courts must uphold in order to protect peoples’ personal liberty and a range of liberty interests that...

www.loc.gov

Due process of law is a constitutional guarantee that prevents governments from impacting citizens in an abusive way. In its modern form, due process includes both procedural standards that courts must uphold in order to protect peoples’ personal liberty and a range of liberty interests that statutes and regulations must not infringe. It traces its origins to Chapter 39 of King John’s Magna Carta, which provides that no freeman will be seized, dispossessed of his property, or harmed except “by the law of the land,” an expression that referred to customary practices of the court. The phrase “due process of law” first appeared as a substitute for Magna Carta’s “the law of the land” in a 1354 statute of King Edward III that restated Magna Carta’s guarantee of the liberty of the subject.

The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution, which guarantee that no person shall “be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law,” incorporated the model of the rule of law that English and American lawyers associated most closely with Magna Carta for centuries. Under this model, strict adherence to regular procedure was the most important safeguard against tyranny. Over time, courts in the United States have ruled that due process also limits legislation and protects certain areas of individual liberty from regulation.
BBM

 

[fred&edna]

i would also like to remind everyone living across the world, the link below is a big reason why many us citizens are and have been upset by illegal immigration policies over the past few years - the cost to us taxpayers. this is in addition to the serious violence inflicted by known/judged illegal ms-13 and tda gang-members. the cost to house them in cecot is far less than we would be facing if things had continued under biden-era immigration policies. i've snipped a quote regarding the fact that even those illegal immigrants who pay taxes cannot balance the overall fiscal burden to our country. also, there are many reasons why nearly every country - if not all -has laws and regulations regarding illegal entry/residence. imo, legal entry and continuing to abide by the laws of the usa is fine. illegal entry and failure to obey our laws isn't fine.

Loading…

www.congress.gov

The fiscal burden of illegal immigration is due to several factors. First, because illegal aliens usually havelow incomes, those who do pay taxes pay little, if anything. Second, illegal aliens incur significant coststo the taxpayer on a daily basis, because public services such as policing, K-12 education, emergencyservices, etc., are provided universally. Further, due to loose eligibility criteria – intentional or otherwise– many illegal aliens receive benefits from federal, state, and local jurisdictions, despite the fact thatthey have no legal status.


jmo

eta - freedom isn't free. there 'ain't no free' people, there's a cost paid by someone living now or gave their lives for freedom and the us constitution/laws. and, respect is earned. imo

 

[Summerliz03]

i would also like to remind everyone living across the world, the link below is a big reason why many us citizens are and have been upset by illegal immigration policies over the past few years is the cost to taxpayers. this is in addition to the serious violence inflicted by known/judged illegal ms-13 and tda gang-members. the cost to house them in cecot is far less than we would be facing if things had continued under biden-era immigration policies. i've snipped a quote regarding the fact that even those illegal immigrants who pay taxes cannot balance the overall fiscal burden to our country.

Loading…

www.congress.gov

The fiscal burden of illegal immigration is due to several factors. First, because illegal aliens usually havelow incomes, those who do pay taxes pay little, if anything. Second, illegal aliens incur significant coststo the taxpayer on a daily basis, because public services such as policing, K-12 education, emergencyservices, etc., are provided universally. Further, due to loose eligibility criteria – intentional or otherwise– many illegal aliens receive benefits from federal, state, and local jurisdictions, despite the fact thatthey have no legal status.

jmo

“Illegal” immigrants paid $96B in federal and state taxes in 2022 so I do not agree with your statement that they pay “very little”

Tax Payments by Undocumented Immigrants

Undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2022. Providing access to work authorization for undocumented immigrants would increase their tax contributions both because their wages would rise and because their rates of tax compliance would increase.

itep.org

I guess we will have to just fundamentally disagree on this issue because I for one will never be upset that a child who’s parents came here “illegally” to give them a better life will be enrolled in public school with my own children. I don’t consider them a “drain” on our resources or that they are a competition in my life.

What i would love is if billionaires paid more (or any!) taxes so that the middle class can wasn’t dwindling away. The main problems in our country isn’t illegal immigration; it’s the fact that billionaires, corporations and our current government have convinced people that the “illegal” immigrants are the problem when it’s really the power hungry oligarchs trying to get richer and richer at the cost of the rest of us. All MOO.