Rep. Dan Goldman on ICE Tactics, Sanctuary Cities, and Democracy

ICE Tactics and Masked Agents

• 🕵️ Congressman Dan Goldman witnessed about a dozen plainclothes ICE agents, many wearing masks, waiting to arrest asylum seekers after their court appearances.
• ⚖️ These individuals were seeking legal status and appearing in court as instructed, only to have their asylum claims dismissed and face expedited removal.
• 🎭 Goldman questions the use of masks by ICE agents, calling it hypocritical given the Trump administration's stance on masks at universities, and links it to the administration's cruelty and anti-foreigner sentiment.
• ⚠️ The practice creates perverse incentives, potentially discouraging individuals from attending court and driving them further underground, making communities less safe.

Sanctuary Cities Under Attack

• 🏛️ The federal government is threatening to withhold federal funding from cities and states that do not comply with its immigration policies, specifically targeting sanctuary city laws.
• 💰 This is seen as extortion and coercion, with a lawsuit already filed by several state attorneys general arguing it's an overreach of executive authority.
• 📉 The loss of federal funding, which can amount to hundreds of millions or billions of dollars, poses a significant threat to cities and states like New York.

Impact on the Economy and Values

• 💸 Goldman argues that targeting immigrants, many of whom are working and paying taxes (estimated over $9 billion annually in income taxes), undermines economic contributions and tax revenue for New York City and State.
• 🚩 He characterizes the administration's policies as a culture war and an effort to implement the "great replacement theory" and white supremacy, which he believes is contrary to American values.

Reflections on Public Service

• ⚖️ Reflecting on his 10 years as a federal prosecutor, Goldman highlighted a mob case involving murders and an insider trading trial, noting the irony of a defendant receiving a pardon from Donald Trump.
• 🏀 To unwind, he enjoys watching sports, particularly the Knicks, and spending time with his children.
• 🏛️ Transitioning to Congress, he found his investigative and impeachment experience applicable but was surprised by the lack of bipartisanship on the floor, despite behind-the-scenes cooperation.
• 🗳️ Goldman believes expanding voting rights and access is the most crucial legislation for the country, emphasizing it as the fundamental right from which all others flow.
• 💡 He advises against over-planning, preferring to remain open to unexpected opportunities, which has led to a rewarding and varied career path.