Lots of people come to the USA for various reasons. Some are fleeing persecution due to race, religion, sexual orientation, nationality. When pending asylum status, they are not considered here illegally. Others stay after their VISAs expire (tourists, students, workers, etc.) No one’s lives are worsening because these groups, and many pay taxes and contribute to the economy. They’re not getting social security, Medicaid, or SNAP. The rights of many are being abused, including Americans, which events in Minneapolis have made perfectly clear. Among people being targeted by ICE are peaceful protesters, people with long-term residency, people with no criminal record (crossing without going through a legal process is a civil violation), parents of children born here. ICE’s methods are harsh and inhumane. I have many clients afraid to send their brown-skinned, American-born children to school, afraid when their elderly parents who speak with an accent go to a grocery store, afraid to travel to see their relatives in their native homelands (no matter where they are from) for fear of not getting back home to their spouses and children. Vulnerable groups being blamed for complex national problems is scapegoating. We all need civil rights protections now.