In this second term of Donald Trump’s presidency, the word ICE has brought fear to our minds rather than making us think about delicious frozen water.

ICE and its actions have taken things way too far and aren’t showing any signs of changing the way they operate or how they will start to help others. With a supposed mindset of getting rid of the “worst-of-the worst” criminals and others who entered America illegally. 

Yet, all we have seen is more people getting hurt than anyone being “saved” from the problem.

From the fatal shooting of civilians by ICE agents in Minneapolis including the killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three and Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, we’ve seen tensions become citizens and agents become downright arctic. 

ICE being abused with the power it currently has from those in higher authority has brought nothing good to the land of the free. It has only torn apart families and added fear into everyone, legal or not, about whether they will be the next victim of ICE violence.

Violence shouldn’t be the norm when trying to rid a problem. Along with violence, we have seen widespread dehumanization of people, just because of their skin color, their accent or simply exercising their First Amendment right. 

America isn’t perfect. No country is. But citizens are supposed to build off those imperfections to make themselves greater. Instead, ICE is taking away a big aspect of America by breaking up families and punishing people who have committed no violent crime.

Who’s next?

We’re beginning to see that in the end, it was never about being here illegally or not, but that if you are different from Trump’s views, you are seen as a potential problem.

Speaking out against ICE whether here in Omaha or across the country is vital because we are the ones who can make the change to the hurtful ways in which policies have recently been implemented.

So, it begs the question — who really we really be detaining in the “Cornhusker Clink?”