Why Latinos Join ICE

"Latino Border Patrol agents have been central to the agency's work for decades, yet their participation in enforcement actions raises questions about ethnic solidarity and community ties."

"The notion that Latinos could not support Trump or participate in his immigration policies reflects a simplistic view of their motivations and identities."

"Research indicates that Latino agents may join the Border Patrol for salary and benefits, or through socialization during training, rather than a sense of community allegiance."

"Latinos who join ICE often believe they are enforcing laws that protect their communities, challenging the narrative that they are inherently antagonistic to their own people."

Latinos now make up half of the Border Patrol, a shift from their previous negligible presence. The involvement of Latino agents in immigration enforcement has sparked debate, with some progressives expressing surprise at their participation in deportation efforts. This reaction stems from a tendency to view Latinos as unified by ethnic solidarity. Research suggests that Latino agents may not identify with their communities, with motivations ranging from financial incentives to a belief in enforcing immigration laws as protective rather than antagonistic.

Read at The Atlantic