The Department of Homeland Security’s approach to naming immigrant enforcement operations, accompanied by a punchy, at times mocking tone in its official statements, elicits polarizing opinions: Are the names funny or offensive? Reactions often depend on political affiliation and support for the operations that largely target Black and brown communities.
The names send a message that immigrants in the U.S. are “subhuman,” Congressman Jimmy Gomez, a California Democrat, told The Associated Press.
“That is why they have those disgusting names,” said Gomez, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee. Administration officials “don’t even use that kind of language when they conduct operations across the globe dealing with some of the worst terrorists imaginable.”
But Congressman Brandon Gill believes the names demonstrate President Donald Trump is not joking about reining in illegal immigration and securing the border.
“I think all he’s doing is letting them know we continue to be serious about that,” the Texas Republican said. “We’re serious about keeping the border secure. We’re serious about deporting illegal aliens.”
