A knock at the door: fear of ICE is transforming daily life in America | Abdul Wahid Gulrani
Briefly

A knock at the door: fear of ICE is transforming daily life in America | Abdul Wahid Gulrani
"On 15 June 2025, the Trump administration issued an official statement directing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to begin what it described as the largest mass deportation operation in American history. Major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and New York were identified as primary targets. The stated goal was to keep communities safe and free from illegal alien crime, conflict, and chaos."
"The question is not whether the state has the right to enforce the law. The question is how the manner of enforcement shapes everyday life This warning was neither exaggerated nor emotional. It was a professional, precautionary recommendation of the kind that has become increasingly routine for many people in recent months. This subtle shift from exceptional emergencies to the everyday management of fear marks the point at which law enforcement moves beyond the legal domain and becomes a structuring force in daily life."
On 15 June 2025, the administration directed ICE to begin a large-scale deportation operation targeting major cities including Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. Federal agents quickly became part of residents' everyday lives. The stated aim was public safety and removal of illegal alien crime, but enforcement practices reshaped daily routines and produced widespread fear. Precautionary advice to stay home and avoid public spaces became routine. From a sociological perspective, fear operates as a social reality when behavior is guided by the constant possibility of detention rather than direct experience. Law enforcement thus moves beyond legal processes to structure social life and trust.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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