It is the usual policy of Stargazer to require guest columnists and Letters to the Editor to include a name. However, due to the sensitive nature of this content and the uncertainty of these times, the editorial board has decided to grant this guest writer a one-time exception. More information about our Letter to the Editor policy is included in our “About Us” section.
Dear Stargazer Readers,
Every single day I fear for my life. Since January, countless videos have surfaced of Immigration and Customs Enforcement detaining people — both people here legally and illegally. One of these videos showed a kid, less than a year older than me, getting tackled on a road I drive on frequently. ICE continues to gain confidence in their pursuits, endangering the lives of not just undocumented immigrants, but anyone who gets in their way. There is no class to their arrests and no rights read to anyone. Although the way they treat both citizens and non-citizens is disgusting, I can only speak on behalf of my experience as a citizen.
In October it was found that there were more than 170 cases of ICE detaining, dragging and even shooting citizens in 2025. My dad sat me down and explained to me what to do if I see an ICE agent as well as what to do if I get detained. He did the same with my younger brother before telling us what to do if he doesn’t come home. That night I cried, replaying the conversation in my head. Every single time I have passed a police officer since that day, his words echo in my mind. My entire life I was taught to be careful because of my skin color, but I have never feared for my life the way I do now. Neutral clothes, keeping my head down and being extra careful with my words are daily rituals in order to blend in to the best of my ability. It’s really frustrating to put beautiful aspects of my culture — like colorful outfits, aromatic foods, general extraversion and loud music — aside to ensure my safety. The fear of being detained sits at the back of my mind constantly.
My fear is not overdramatic, and I am not alone. In the Chicagoland area, more than 600 arrests have taken place since June 11. On Sept. 16 alone, seven people were detained in Elgin, two of them being citizens. ICE is on college campuses, which cannot always guarantee safety for students. Hallways and bathrooms are considered public property in community colleges. An education that a student pays for can be hindered by the fear of being unfairly detained. These incidents are increasingly common, causing public fear in many aspects of people’s lives.
The government and police force are meant to act in the interest of the public. Instead of this, they are endangering the lives of citizens, causing public fear and harming the way that individuals view them. People have begun to view ICE as cruel, inhumane and racist. The way that these officers are treating detainees is in no way new, but the immense inflation of the scale of these violent arrests should concern anyone and everyone. White or not, bilingual or not, citizen or not, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. Even if being detained by ICE is not a concern of yours, they continue to escalate. Today it is undocumented immigrants you have no empathy for, tomorrow it could be your neighbor, your classmate, your hairstylist or even you.
