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It might be time to leave the USA, if you can. I'm sorry to say that, but your family is more important than the country where you live. If you're this afraid, it's time to go somewhere that you're not afraid to live.
I'd recommending moving somewhere that isn't 200 miles from any border, so ICE won't spy on you. They'll do this for everyone, including citizens, if they're 200 miles from the border on all sides.
The problem is that they consider international airports to be "borders" so you also have to live 200 miles away from those. It's almost impossible to find that, and even then they don't exactly follow laws to begin with.
Thanks. I'd like to move. We've been looking at other states and taking our parents with us.
Is there no document that could be prepared with a lawyer to clarify your rights, make them think a bit and move on?
"sorry, I don't get paid to think, I don't make the laws, I just voluntarily signed up to enthusiastically and brutally enforce them" says the average ICE goon while tearing said document in two.
If you want to make them think a bit, being armed will certainly give them pause for thought.
Simple answer: no. We're beyond that now. ICE's latest strategy is simply to move so fast, courts and lawyers don't have time to do anything. There are dozens of credible news reports of them deporting US citizens, which means there are dozens, or hundreds or thousands, that haven't been reported on. They don't have to follow the rules if there's no practical way to hold them accountable, and they're leveraging that heavily.
If you don't have your papers, they deport you. If you do have your papers, they lie and deport you faster than anyone can stop them.
According to lemmy, just peacefully protest.
According to history, take their factories down.
I am with you in whatever you decide what's best for you and your family.
If you don't already own a firearm, I strongly suggest now is the time to obtain one (rifle, shotgun, or a nice full-size pistol with a brace) for your family's safety. I would also suggest getting pepperspray, a taser, or a small-caliber handgun (.380 would be good) for your wife.
I understand the feelings that lead to giving this advice, but this will not end well for anyone. There are better options, especially if children are involved.
like?
Not starting a firefight with a bunch of trigger happy fascist with the firepower of a small country who would like nothing more than an excuse to shoot some foreigners, with your kids are in the building? I understand the sentiment, but this is not an 80's action flick and the average American is not Arnold Schwarzenegger.
wait wait, this funny for so many reasons, but why would you comply with your oppressors?
Isn't this exactly what they want, and you are willing to give it to them completely willingly‽
I get you just admitted you don't know your historical antifascist liberating acts, but capitulating isn't one of them.
I am so sorry. Stay grounded.
I know ICE has a reputation of doing whatever they want, but in an effort to provide the most civil option possible:
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Have your family keep their papers on them at all times. In the house, in the yard, wherever. You get out of bed, your papers are in your pocket, in bed, they're right there next to you. Ideally add some extra notes (people to contact, names numbers and addresses if you have them) and keep that with it.
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Talk with family and friends and make contingency plans. Have a place to say you're from or find out where people are getting deported to, reach out to family/friends out there (if you have any) and have them aware of your concerns. Save up money to be ready to travel if you need to reunite with them.
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Talk as a family. Explain what could happen, and help them to understand what to do. Fire drills save lives in an emergency. This is no different.
I can't promise a solution, I certainly wouldn't recommend trying to fight with a gun if anything happens, all it will do is add fuel to their fire and get someone hurt. But being prepared to ride out a storm is always better than being stuck out in one in the open.
this post was submitted on 26 Dec 2025
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