Activist group documents reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation show that senior immigration policy advisers to the Biden administration have a history of working with organizations that advocate the “abolition” of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Ramzi Kasem I participated Appointed to the White House in 2022 as Senior Policy Advisor for Immigration on the Domestic Policy Council, writing a research report with the Anti-ICE Group of Law Enforcement Responsibility and the Creation of Responsibility (CLEAR) at the City University of New York, which she founded in 2009. supported. He and his organization have worked directly with, and continue to partner with, several groups that have pushed for the complete abolition of ICE and defunding the police force. (Related: Biden Officials Secretly Concerned About Further Surge in Illegal Immigration: Report)
For example, the Margaret Casey Foundation named Kasem “Liberty.” scholarThe position was given in 2020 to those deemed to be “at the forefront of abolitionist, black, feminist, queer, extremist, and anti-colonial research.” The foundation’s then vice president of programs, Jonathan Jays Green, said: Said He argued that “ICE must be abolished” in 2020 and that this “immoral, cruel and corrupt system cannot be reformed.”
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green said, “The Biden administration’s senior officials have been hand-picked to implement dangerous border security and immigration policies that ultimately undermine homeland security. It is clear based on personal objectives,” he told DCNF. Cassem tie. “It is incomprehensible to place someone who has supported such an organization in such a position of authority, especially at a time when our country faces unprecedented and significant national security threats.”
In addition, CLEAR and the activist group Movement for Black Lives jointlypublished “Struggle for Power: The U.S. Government’s Ongoing Persecution of Black Movements.” August 2021. Kasem is listed as an “editorial” contributor to the report effort. The Movement for Black Lives is also listed as “”.allyAccording to the CUNY Group website, CLEAR’s.
movement to save black lives tweeted In February 2021, the hashtag “AbolishIce” was announced. The group also I will explain It describes itself as an “abolitionist” organization and states that “prisons, police and all other institutions of violence against black people must be abolished and replaced with institutions that value and affirm the prosperity of black lives.” Says.
In 2020 the group will Circulated A petition asking lawmakers to support legislation to “defund and dismantle ICE.”
See, this is why the whole system has to be stopped. Making it tastier doesn’t really help these immigrant children and the fact that no one should be put in these “camps” with or without ICE No change. #Abolish ice cream https://t.co/n3fJ2HRRa1
— Movement 4 Black Lives (@Mvmnt4BlkLives) February 23, 2021
I also created CLEAR. report The report, titled “Stranded Abroad: Americans Stripped of Passports in Yemen,” lists Qassem as the author and submitter of the report.
BEHAVIORAL WARNING: At least two Bangladeshi minors have been detained in adult detention facilities despite presenting multiple documents proving their age. Call the ICE Field Office Assistant Director now to request your release: 619-661-3829 # Release minors #Abolish ICE pic.twitter.com/XAcRilGNiO
— Progressing Justice – AAJC (@AAAJ_AAJC) April 17, 2019
On multiple occasions, Asian Americans who advocate for justice have advocated for the “abolition” of ICE between the two countries. 2018 and 2020.groups are listed ally of Kasem’s organization.
Jon Fabricatore, former ICE field office director and current director of the National Center for Immigration Enforcement (NICE), told the DCNF that Kasem’s involvement with anti-ICE groups was a real testament to the Biden administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. He said he believed he had made his priorities clear.
“With his support for the ‘Abolition of ICE’ activism and rhetoric rooted in the President’s current agenda, his appointment will ensure that the continued weakening of border security will be strengthened and immigration crackdowns in the interior will be minimized. Congress needs to look at the policies and individuals who are pushing for destructive policies that dismantle our immigration system and laws,” said Fabricatore.
Additionally, CLEAR report Co-hosted by the Asian-American Legal Defense and Education Foundation, it was titled “Mapping Muslims: NYPD Espionage and Its Impact on American Muslims.” Kasem is listed as an “editorial” contributor to the report.
Naz Ahmad will serve as acting director during the leave. pic.twitter.com/SGmTK2Wk3z
— CLEAR Project (@CUNY_CLEAR) August 16, 2022
CLEAR lists Asian American Legal Advocacy and Education Funds as the following funds: ally on that website. The foundation tweeted the hashtag “AbolishICE” in 2018. The Asian American Legal Advocacy and Education Fund also repetition advocated the following New York bill: keep ICE officials ban arrests abroad court.
and @aaldef Blog: Asian-American lawmakers speak out against family separation and harsh immigration policies https://t.co/dZAlPsRFc3 via @emilamok #Abolish ICE pic.twitter.com/E6nkcXGaJG
— 𝖠𝗌𝗂𝖺𝗇 𝖠𝗆𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝖫𝖾𝗀𝖺𝗅 (@aaldef) July 3, 2018
In September 2020, Kasem listed Speaker at an event titled “From the Streets to the Supreme Court: Defending Communities Against Federal Oppression,” featuring both CLEAR and the Center for Constitutional Rights.
The Center for Constitutional Rights is listed as a distinct ally of this group. website.
in August 2020 Tweet, the Center for Constitutional Rights wrote, “Defund the Police and Abolish ICE!” now! ” The group also advocated Call for the release of illegal immigrants from ICE detention.
Stop funding the police and end ICE! NOW!#BNC2020 https://t.co/Xx8DbXTOJj
— CCR (@theCCR) August 29, 2020
During the event, Qassem praised the Movement for Black Lives for pushing to defund the police.
“In 2016, the defunding of the police was part of M4BL.” [Movement for Black Lives] Platform, yes. So already in 2016, abolitionism was generally on the margins of public debate at that point. Just the way talk about defunding and abolishing the police has become mainstream in recent months speaks to the very power of protest that Teniwe described,” said Qassem, who himself described “the power of protest.” He spoke of what he called “the best demonstration.” “
CLEAR also cites Black Lives Matter, left-wing megadonor George Soros’ Open Society Foundation, and the American Civil Liberties Union as “allies.”
While working at the White House, Kasem is on vacation from the State University of New York and is expected to: return Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.
The Biden administration is increasing the entry of new immigrants and refugees. The new government is also moving away from detention and deportation strategies to combat illegal immigration. In 2022, the number of people crossing the southern border exceeded a record high of 2.3 million, but ICE It was deleted about 72,000 illegal immigrants, compared In fiscal 2020, when there were few encounters with immigrants, the number was about 185,000.
Mr. Green believes Mr. Qassem has no good reason to advise the White House.
“People like Kasem who have little regard for our country need not sit in positions of influence. We will continue to exercise maximum scrutiny of eligible people,” Green told the DCNF.
The White House, Qassem and CLEAR did not respond to requests for comment.
Ireland Walker and Jack Applewhite contributed to this report.
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