Photos, video from ICE raid

1. I read the polarized comments about the ICE raids and frown. We are homeowners and seasonal residents, but we live in the Netherlands. I’ve learned not to judge complex American politics too quickly from my Dutch perspective.

   What amazes me, though, is the U.S.’s fraught relationship with immigrants. They are needed to keep the economy going, they pay taxes, and the immigrants I know on the island all work very hard. I don’t know whether they are legal or not, but they’ve been there during all 15 years we’ve been coming to the island.

   In the Netherlands, it is illegal to employ undocumented immigrants, and the fines are severe. Labor shortages are partly addressed by legal workers from Eastern European countries. Still, wages are higher than in the U.S., which forces businesses to automate their processes as much as possible and to outsource some production to countries with lower wages.

   The U.S. should consider a system with temporary work permits, perhaps followed by permanent residency after years of hard work and good behavior. The current situation feels lawless and continues to fuel your polarized politics.

   1. We should do a lot of things in this country, sadly our system is completely broken and it’s very difficult to pass anything that is good or makes sense.

2. Let’s talk about that tattoo — Its the Valknut–it was noticed by some people here on ICE agents’ tattoos.. It has ancient roots, but in recent times it has been picked up by “white nationalists” —AKA “racists” https://www.adl.org/resources/hate-symbol/valknot — If the ADL calls it out as a racist symbol, it probably is. Similarly, the swastika was used for centuries as a symbol of good luck and positive things ;
   “The word “swastika” is actually a Sanskrit word (‘svasktika’) meaning “It is,” “Well Being,” “Good Existence” and “Good Luck.” However, it is also known by different names in different countries – like Wan in China, Manji in Japan, Fylfot in England, Hakenkreuz in Germany and Tetraskelion or Tetragammadion in Greece. ” Then it got hijacked by a megalomaniacal dictator. I doubt that anyone today thinks a swastika painted on a “Tesler” is motivated by someone wishing them “good luck”.– things change . https://www.ancient-origins.net/…/swastika-origins-001312 But regardless if the tattoo is racist or not, these raids are clearly unconstitutional and NOT in the best interest of our community. I had no problem when they came here a few months ago, and legally arrested illegal immigrants that had committed crimes. I’m down with that.

Comments are closed.