Cheryl Precourt is a resident of Dover.
On Feb. 5, I received an email from Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del. The email asked for a simple yes or no answer to a subject line of “Do you support Trump’s immigration policies?” In the body of the email, it stated, “By now, we’ve all seen the horrific videos of federal agents murdering Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. In just the last few weeks, thousands of Delawareans have reached out to me, fearful of what may happen in their communities. As a country, it’s time to reconsider how we’re enforcing our immigration laws.” The yes or no question was “Do you agree with this administrations current approach to immigration?”
This prompted me to write to my senator because a simple yes or no would not be an adequate reply, since the question being asked was already tainted by the content of the email.
First of all, our immigration policies and laws do not have any president’s name on them. They are the laws of the United States, as passed by Congress.
Secondly, while we mourn the loss of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, to the best of my knowledge, no investigation has been completed, and no indictments have been handed down.
In addition, Delaware has passed laws that prevent our local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement without first getting permission from our attorney general. Local law enforcement is our best first line of defense. In Delaware, protests that block streets, etc., require permits, and generally, local law enforcement is present and active. We are not seeing that in Minneapolis. What we are seeing is people disobeying the law, spitting on officers, using their vehicles as weapons and stalking ICE agents. The “peaceful protesters” are using social media networks to tell others how to find and harm ICE agents.
Further, we are seeing people in Minneapolis who have no law enforcement authority stopping citizens of that city, asking to see their papers and telling them where they can and cannot go. We also have people storming churches, frightening congregants and their children. Is that lawful?
In my lifetime, I have come to realize that there are two sides to every story. It is my prayer that those who represent me in public office will remember we are people — not a party — and that they need to represent everyone.
The email that Sen. Blunt Rochester sent out to Delaware constituents is biased, partisan and inflammatory. I was taught that everyone has the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law. Our elected officials are not in office to represent their party or an agenda but all the people of this state, whether they voted or didn’t vote.
My answer to Sen. Blunt Rochester’s question is yes. If local law enforcement assisted ICE agents, so they could go in and do their jobs without harm to themselves or others, that would be a great improvement. Are the “peaceful protesters” following the law? They are not.
While the First Amendment protects the right to protest, authorities can impose reasonable “time, place and manner restrictions.” Most importantly, actively interfering with federal or state officers attempting to make arrests or to clear an area is unlawful.
Lastly, instead of stoking the fire and adding to the chaos, why don’t our lawmakers encourage the public and other lawmakers to educate themselves on what is or isn’t lawful? Most of all, speak the truth and be peacemakers.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
