Why do Latinos work for ICE?
Half of border agents are Latino, and they are part of a long history of Hispanic support for – and enforcement of – harsh immigration policies
TL;DR
- Latinos make up a majority of border patrol officers and a substantial percentage of ICE agents.
- Historically, Latino leaders and organizations have supported deportation campaigns and restrictive immigration policies.
- Motivations for Latinos joining immigration enforcement include seeking belonging, security, status, and economic stability.
- Latino voters have often supported politicians and policies that tighten US borders.
- Concerns about labor competition and maintaining their own place in American society have influenced these attitudes.
- Despite discrimination, Latinos have sometimes embraced political movements that target other marginalized groups.
- Recent trends show some Latinos have swung away from Trump and Republican support, but the historical pattern of supporting restrictionist policies is significant.