A leaked memo from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveals that agents have been authorized to conduct home invasions without judicial warrants, raising serious concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and the rule of law.
For years, Republican politicians have used inflammatory rhetoric to describe undocumented immigrants as "invaders" who are trespassing on private property. However, this language is hypocritical when applied to ICE agents who are breaking into homes without warrants. The memo's revelation that these invasions were intentionally hidden from the public highlights the emptiness of GOP claims to oppose "invasions" and "trespassing."
The use of the term "invasion" by Republicans is a specious argument that has always been overblown and dangerous. Immigrants who are working in this country, whether legally or not, are hardly "invaders." They live in their own homes on private property, just like anyone else. The leaked memo shows that some Republican politicians were using this rhetoric to justify violent actions against immigrants.
The GOP's official platform denounces the "Migrant Invasion," which was a key part of Trump campaign ads in 2024. However, when it comes to ICE agents invading homes without warrants, the party is silent. This hypocrisy is particularly disturbing given that nothing is more sacred in American law than the sanctity of the home.
The Fourth Amendment, enshrined in the US Constitution, prohibits police from making warrantless and nonconsensual entries into a suspect's home. Even in cases where there may be probable cause to arrest someone, a warrant must be issued by a judge before an entry can be made.
The Department of Homeland Security has official training materials that explicitly state that entering a home without a warrant or exception is typically a violation of the Fourth Amendment. The relevant warrant must be issued by a judge.
Given the severity of this breach of civil liberties, it's no wonder that ICE hid the memo from the public for months. However, this policy change has now been exposed, and its implications are far-reaching.
Just last month, an ICE agent entered the home of ChongLy Scott Thao, a US citizen, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Thao reported that he was shaken when agents broke down his door without showing him any warrant. His 4-year-old grandson even cried as Thao was led out of his home wearing sandals and underwear.
Another family in Minnesota with children inside the home had their door smashed down by DHS agents using a battering ram, but they were told that there wasn't a warrant signed by a judge. Agents arrested a Liberian immigrant father without showing him any documentation.
The leaked memo shows that these invasions are not isolated incidents. For months, I have been tracking dozens of instances where ICE and DHS agents entered private property without warrants.
It's hard to overstate the gravity of this situation. In a free country, it's essential for the executive branch to seek permission from a neutral party to enter our private spaces — showing probable cause of a violation of the law.
There is an inherent difference between immigrants crossing the border illegally and ICE agents entering homes without warrants. The former have no path to enter the United States legally, whereas the latter can obtain a warrant based on probable cause.
This new policy change has made Trump the leader of the pro-invasion party now. It's essential for Americans to be aware of this reality and demand that their elected officials take action to stop these unconstitutional invasions.
The moment when DHS agents jumped over the fence outside a US citizen's home in Chicago last October was like something out of a movie. The imagery couldn't have been more on point. For DHS, immigrants are "invaders" who require a military-style response when they go over or around barriers to request asylum. But when their own agents violate the Constitution by breaking into private homes without warrants, it's not an invasion.
As this situation continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the notion that government agents can enter our homes without judicial warrants will be met with widespread outrage and resistance from Americans who value civil liberties and the rule of law.
For years, Republican politicians have used inflammatory rhetoric to describe undocumented immigrants as "invaders" who are trespassing on private property. However, this language is hypocritical when applied to ICE agents who are breaking into homes without warrants. The memo's revelation that these invasions were intentionally hidden from the public highlights the emptiness of GOP claims to oppose "invasions" and "trespassing."
The use of the term "invasion" by Republicans is a specious argument that has always been overblown and dangerous. Immigrants who are working in this country, whether legally or not, are hardly "invaders." They live in their own homes on private property, just like anyone else. The leaked memo shows that some Republican politicians were using this rhetoric to justify violent actions against immigrants.
The GOP's official platform denounces the "Migrant Invasion," which was a key part of Trump campaign ads in 2024. However, when it comes to ICE agents invading homes without warrants, the party is silent. This hypocrisy is particularly disturbing given that nothing is more sacred in American law than the sanctity of the home.
The Fourth Amendment, enshrined in the US Constitution, prohibits police from making warrantless and nonconsensual entries into a suspect's home. Even in cases where there may be probable cause to arrest someone, a warrant must be issued by a judge before an entry can be made.
The Department of Homeland Security has official training materials that explicitly state that entering a home without a warrant or exception is typically a violation of the Fourth Amendment. The relevant warrant must be issued by a judge.
Given the severity of this breach of civil liberties, it's no wonder that ICE hid the memo from the public for months. However, this policy change has now been exposed, and its implications are far-reaching.
Just last month, an ICE agent entered the home of ChongLy Scott Thao, a US citizen, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Thao reported that he was shaken when agents broke down his door without showing him any warrant. His 4-year-old grandson even cried as Thao was led out of his home wearing sandals and underwear.
Another family in Minnesota with children inside the home had their door smashed down by DHS agents using a battering ram, but they were told that there wasn't a warrant signed by a judge. Agents arrested a Liberian immigrant father without showing him any documentation.
The leaked memo shows that these invasions are not isolated incidents. For months, I have been tracking dozens of instances where ICE and DHS agents entered private property without warrants.
It's hard to overstate the gravity of this situation. In a free country, it's essential for the executive branch to seek permission from a neutral party to enter our private spaces — showing probable cause of a violation of the law.
There is an inherent difference between immigrants crossing the border illegally and ICE agents entering homes without warrants. The former have no path to enter the United States legally, whereas the latter can obtain a warrant based on probable cause.
This new policy change has made Trump the leader of the pro-invasion party now. It's essential for Americans to be aware of this reality and demand that their elected officials take action to stop these unconstitutional invasions.
The moment when DHS agents jumped over the fence outside a US citizen's home in Chicago last October was like something out of a movie. The imagery couldn't have been more on point. For DHS, immigrants are "invaders" who require a military-style response when they go over or around barriers to request asylum. But when their own agents violate the Constitution by breaking into private homes without warrants, it's not an invasion.
As this situation continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the notion that government agents can enter our homes without judicial warrants will be met with widespread outrage and resistance from Americans who value civil liberties and the rule of law.
The fact that ICE agents were authorized to break into homes without warrants is a huge blow to the rule of law and civil liberties in the US. It's insane that politicians like Trump used inflammatory rhetoric about "invaders" while their own agents are doing exactly that. 
This hypocrisy is unacceptable, especially when it comes to something as fundamental as the sanctity of the home.
. I'm so glad someone finally exposed the truth behind these secret invasions 
. It's time for a national conversation about what it means to be an American and how we value our civil liberties 
, but if you're a US citizen, suddenly those rights don't apply anymore 
. and the GOP is just standing by, silent as can be 
, it's like they're complicit in this whole thing 
. what's next? 
. And btw, isn't it rich that the GOP is all like "opposing invasions" when they're secretly letting their minions run amok 
it's just so hypocritical...
This policy change is a serious threat to our democracy and we can't just sit back and do nothing about it. We need to speak out and demand that our elected officials take action to stop these unconstitutional invasions. 
.
. And what about the kids? I can only imagine how traumatizing it must be for them.
THIS IS A DARK DAY FOR AMERICA AND WE SHOULD ALL BE FIGHTING AGAINST IT!!!
when it comes to their own agents' actions. It's not about immigration, it's about civil liberties and respect for individual rights. I've got kids who are still in school and they have no idea what's going on behind closed doors... or rather, open doors without warrants 
. I'm all for securing our borders and enforcing immigration laws, but not at the expense of our basic human rights.
. It made me think, have you ever noticed how dogs can sense when we're feeling stressed or anxious? My friend's dog always snuggles up next to her when she's having a bad day. It's so cute! Anyway, back to this news... I don't think it's right that ICE agents are getting away with breaking into homes without warrants. It's like they're above the law or something 
this is some crazy stuff and i'm not sure if americans r ready for it yet 
anyway back to ice and customs... can we talk about how they're basically wearing two hats at once? first they're all like "us citizens have rights" but then it's revealed they're breaking the law just as badly
what's going on here though? It sounds like ICE is literally breaking the law by entering people's homes without warrants? Like, I get that they're trying to enforce immigration laws, but come on! This whole thing with Trump using "invasion" rhetoric and now having his own agents do the opposite is just wild. And what's up with DHS hiding this memo from the public for months? Transparency is key, guys! 
I'm really worried about this leaked memo, it's like they're completely disregarding our rights as citizens 
. I mean, can you imagine if this happened to anyone in your family? The Fourth Amendment is there for a reason, and it's not just some old law on the books - it's about protecting us from abuse of power 
. We need to stand up against this and demand that our leaders take action to stop these unconstitutional invasions 
. This isn't just about immigrants or Republicans, it's about what happens when we start to erode civil liberties and the rule of law. That's a whole different can of worms 
.
The Fourth Amendment is there for a reason, folks - it's not up for interpretation by politicians or bureaucrats.
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. Wish me luck