As a society, we often check the news and ask ourselves how the state of national affairs got this far, yet we remain remarkably quiet as we watch. Look around at the world today and ask yourself: ‘Do I feel safe?… Do I feel comfortable leaving my home today?’

Unfortunately, the answer could depend upon whether or not a person fits a particular profile, is of a certain race, or is abiding by the government’s current statutes that seem to change day by day.

For some, the act of leaving the front door is a gamble, but for others, it’s a normal Tuesday. Many will go to their favorite small coffee shop, order the same double espresso macchiato, and drive their red Toyota Corolla to the corporate office they work in to sit in their over-decorated cubicle. They’ll walk in and say hello to the receptionist Michelle and the intern Jacob  to start their day, choosing to walk away from the breakroom when the news is inevitably turned on. 

These Americans, perhaps one of the 36 percent who didn’t vote in the 2024 presidential election, will continue to live their lives, ignoring, disregarding, and acting as if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents aren’t doing twisted things to innocent people.  

Fake warrants, hoax car troubles, pretending to be cops, staged emergencies, and mock-up phone calls are just some of the maneuvers ICE uses to get unsuspecting immigrants out of their homes to be sent to violent and dangerous facilities where they would be lucky to even be thought of as human. 

We should be outraged. We should be furious. We should be vocalizing. We have to be a stronger voice for those who are struggling to have a voice at this time.

Americans should come together to protect their neighbors, educate themselves on what is going on with the violence behind immigration services and speak up for those whose voices have been suppressed surrounding these issues. 

However, this does not mean we should overlook the valid uses of ICE, such as deporting criminals or individuals entering the U.S. to engage in violence. Bucks County Sheriff Daniel Leo Ceisler explains this stance. 

“We need to be reasonable about how we approach this very sensitive political issue,” Sheriff Ceisler said. 

Bucks County local police are still working with ICE, but Sheriff Ceisler made the decision to end the 287 (g) partnership. The 287 briefly authorized local sheriff’s deputies to perform certain federal immigration enforcement duties.

“For example, we are not cutting off all cooperation with ICE,” Sheriff Ceisler said. “We will continue to allow ICE access to our county jail so that they may deport violent criminals, as they have been doing for decades under Democratic and Republican Administrations. However, we must do everything we can to protect victims and witnesses, and allow people who are following the law to feel safe living their lives.”

Many people are beginning to feel afraid or hesitant to call 911 due to the increase in violent acts, creating uncertainty about whether seeking help will keep them safe or put them at further risk.

Living in a state of fear, afraid to call for help when in a troubling/harmful situation, can have far-reaching consequences for an entire community.

When people are afraid to call 911 for fear of repercussions from immigration, crimes go unreported and witnesses remain silent, which can make it harder for first responders to do their jobs. This ultimately makes the community less safe for everyone.

“This erosion of trust causes a decrease in 911 calls and crime reporting because residents fear that any contact with your deputies might result in deportation,” Sheriff Ceisler elaborated. “When members of our community are afraid to call the police, that isn’t just a problem for immigrants; it is a public safety problem for everyone.” 

“In Bucks County, the local government will not report you to ICE for using government services, calling 911, or coming into our courthouse,” Sheriff Ceisler announced. “I ended the 287(g) partnership with ICE specifically because it was heartbreaking to see our neighbors living in justified fear of seeking help.”

Sheriff Ceisler wants to reassure the community that they are “safe to engage with your local government.”

An anonymous NHS Student started to share their stance on the social media aspect of the trend-following surrounding ICE. 

“I feel like people protesting shouldn’t be just because it’s a trend right now,” the anonymous NHS student described. “That’s what I’m seeing a lot on Instagram, Tiktok and just social media in general. If you want to protest, I feel like you should be doing it for the right reason. You should educate yourself beforehand instead of just going out there and yelling because you saw it on TikTok.”
In addition, the NHS student shared their feelings and, just like many, is conflicted to protest based on the consequences that could occur by speaking out on the topic. 

“Sometimes I do feel hesitant because I am Hispanic,” the NHS student continued. “I feel like even though I don’t really look Hispanic, if you ever meet my parents, you can tell that I’m Hispanic because they both have heavy accents. My mom was born here, my dad was not, so I feel like if I were to go out there and say something, I’m putting a target on me and my family, more especially my dad. I just feel like it’s not necessary for my family, even though it does suck, because I do want to speak about it. I just don’t want to put my family at risk.”  

This student shows that it’s fine if you feel that staying quiet is better for your safety. Understanding that you are not forced to speak out is a personal choice, a challenging matter, and doesn’t mean that you don’t care. Wanting to speak but not feeling safe to do so is justifiable considering the current climate of our nation. 

When the Playwickian asked about specific concerns or observations that the source would like to share, they replied, reiterating this sentiment. 

 “I hope that if people are feeling scared to speak out because of the same reasons that I am, they really shouldn’t feel bad about it because everyone has free will,” the anonymous NHS student said. “You have the chance to speak out if you want to.”

The power of your voice isn’t just in its volume, but in your right to decide when and how to use it. Yes, there is a certain strength in standing up for what you believe in, but there is equal wisdom in recognizing when the environment isn’t right or safe for you. 

Your ability to express your feelings means you aren’t obligated to be a martyr for a cause at the expense of your own security. Ultimately, your voice is an asset to be used to your advantage, meaning you get to be the one to judge if speaking up is a step toward progress or an unnecessary risk to your safety.