On immigration

I have been tracking 4 items related to the "immigration crackdowns" that are happening. 

First is the simple notion that mobilizing troops is necessary for some reason.  And some will tell you its to try and legitimize attacks on democratic-leaning cities and states.  If they can provoke a response, then they can impose more (illegal) restrictions and further their cause.  But seeing the costumes - especially the frogs! - meeting troops is uplifting.  The pushback is, indeed, peaceful.  And dare I say, awesome.

Second, the troops that have been deployed (again, likely illegally) into some cities - particularly Oregon - are being denied access to some things, such as the use of restrooms and being served in restaurants, with the owners invoking the 3rd amendment.  This amendment is considered the least controversial of the amendments and rarely comes up.  But here we are, and I am all for it.

The Third Amendment (Amendment III) to the United States Constitution places restrictions on the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent, forbidding the practice in peacetime. The amendment was a response to the Quartering Acts passed by the Parliament of Great Britain during the buildup to the American Revolutionary War, which had allowed the British Army to lodge soldiers in public buildings.

Third is the way that immigrants are treated by ICE and related agencies.  The constitution calls for limits and delineates "cruel and unusual punishment" as expressly forbidden.  How is breaking in someone's door (without a warrant), using tear gas, dragging people out in whatever they happen to be wearing, and zip tying children anything other than cruel and unusual?

And finally, there is this nugget about Noem and how she appears to be mis-using funds with her hate mongering advertising. 

"This appears to be a flagrant violation of Sec. 715, which states 'No part of any funds appropriated in this or any other act shall be used by an agency of the executive to branch for the preparation, distribution or use of any film presentation designed to support or defeat legislation pending before the Congress, except in presentation to the Congress itself,'" Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal wrote in the letter to DHS citing a section from the Anti-Lobbying Act. 

https://abc7news.com/post/democrats-want-investigation-secretary-homeland-security-kristi-noems-tsa-video-blamed-shutdown/18018313/#

And I know I said four, but I have a bonus item that isn't specifically about immigration.  You have Noem acting as the head of FEMA, and using the position to curry political favor.  She has implemented a "kiss the ring in order to get something" policy ... and as a primary example, there were funds allocated to the west coast of Florida to fix a pier ravished by a hurricane last year (ie, before T-rump took office). She would not release the funds .... until a large political donor who lives there called and asked for the money.

Good luck to any community that doesn't have a resident large donor, one who doesn't have her on speed dial.