An internal Trump administration document claims that having a Michael Jordan "Jumpman" tattoo and wearing "high-end urban street wear" makes you a likely member of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua (TDA) gang.
Alex Howard insists that "we're better than this," but I honestly have my doubts. The anti-immigrant rhetoric coming out of members of both parties lately is depressing. If we let the Trump administration devastate migrant communities and communities of color, there's nothing to stop it from coming after the next underprivileged group. These are scary times.
“Under this criteria, LeBron James, who has a crown tattoo and, like many NBA players, dresses in high-end street wear before games, would be "validated" as a member of TDA. (James would be spared deportation to El Salvador because of his American citizenship.)”
I am VERY sure that James would not be safe. Possibly if he added the name tRUMP under the crown, but I think it is foolish to believe that James (or anyone else) will be safe from deportations or arrests for whatever the hell reason this sewer clown administration dreams up. I am an American living abroad. One of my children is at Columbia University. My daughter lives here in Sweden and is a nurse. She has already said she will never travel to the US again as long as this regime is in power. She is a dual Swedish/American citizen, but she was born in South Korea and is adopted. What she has been reading at how difficult getting into the US has become. So despite having family there, she does not want to risk it. In addition a Nordic expat group is encouraging those of us with non-citizenspouses to NOT bring them with us on a trip to the US. It's a terrifying thought,
That's my question too. And if as they state(ridiculously) there is no way to get anyone out of CECOT or return them, what happens when this happen to a US citizen? Oopsie, you get a life sentence with a smiley emoji?
Yep. THEY DON'T CARE...if you're an 'enemy of the state' they intend to do what they want to you, law or no law, Constitution or no Constitution. The ultimate expression of Wilhoit's law:
"Conservatism consists of exactly one principle:
There must be an in-group whom the law protects, but does not bind, alongside an out-group who the law binds, but does not protect"
I think they are doing 2 things - flouting the court’s & seeing how far they can go. Secondly, if they bring one person back, the courts (and the public) will insist they have others returned. This administration wants to be in total control.
When MAGAs realize how Trump policies screw them: "I blame Biden. He shoulda done a better job explaining how Trump's policies were gonna screw people like me. That's why I'm still MAGA.”
So now in our country it is dangerous to be a young male who wants to look and dress "cool." Remember how every young male with an earring in one ear was declared gay...just because of that earring?
For Trump, taught by Roy Cohn, cruelty is power. We DO have something to fear: any kind of flimsy evidence that Trump with his limited intellect and paranoia can land anyone jobless, sued, and sometimes in the worst kind of prison imaginable. Thanks for the detailed report.
I mean, look at the tattoos on Pete Hegseth, the white Christian supremacy tattoos on his body. His tattoos are so radical and hate-filled that he was taken off a National Guard detail for President Biden. He gets a pass on his tattoos (freedom of expression), because they denigrate non-white, non-Christian people.
So I guess not getting any tattoos is probably a good idea for now? I see people all over the place with them so I must be surrounded by gang members. (Sarcasm emoji) I hope the people who are in jail unfairly get a hearing in court soon to clear up this mess.
It does not seem like the people in El Salvadoran concentration camp-like prison notorious for people not leaving alive are going to get a trial. They are already convicted by Trump for his performative needs to keep his fascist dictatorship going.
There are lots of reasons not to get a tattoo, like how they look on your skin when it fades, although one can get it re-inked. Also, the danger of blood poisoning from toxins in the inks, which can be done with non-toxic inks. I was first introduced to Tattoos as body art by photographer Diane Arbus.
It is BS. They know tattoos are not evidence. They are avoiding presenting evidence in court. In addition Tren de Aragua is not known to have an insignia or tattoo.Tourists have been questioned about their tattoos and had their devices searched at the border.
France’s interior minister said a French researcher had been turned away by U.S. border agents after they found messages on his phone. The messages were critical of the administration.
On one hand this administration exploits the fact that there are fewer rights for people to assert at the border. On the other hand they are violating the rights that exist for those living within our borders - no matter where they came from or their legal status.
All the while the GOP is again pushing legislation that would enact most of what the Orange Menace is pushing in his Executive Order on Voting. Making Americans prove they are citizens because our vote is our voice. Our voices threaten their wish for absolute power.
The League of Women Voters has opposed this since it was first introduced last year.
We are in a time of war. Hybrid war from Russia and other countries. Warfare from Trump on US citizens and immigrants. Anat Shenker Osorio appeared on Ruth Ben-Ghiat's Friday zoom meeting and they told us that an authoritarian government has to create a dark, scary enemy that we have to all be afraid of, at the same time they have to appear efficient in getting rid of them, then they have to create another and another. So first, it was supposed "Mexican rapists", then supposed "Venezuelan gangsters" and now supposed "terrorist students." We don't know who will be next, but there will be a next and a next and a next. This is why I said that foreign students should all transfer to universities in other countries.
It is harder for people fleeing their countries to leave though. If they cannot return to their countries where can they go? I suggest trying to get into Canada, and Greenland. Greenland could use a population infusion right about now. Of course, that is like immigrating to Denmark. Not sure how easy that is to do.
I'm pretty sure my WHITE (very Irish looking), lesbian, basketball loving niece is NOT a member of the Venezuelan Tren de Araqua. She has this tattoo -- for 3 years now. She wanted to get it earlier, but the pandemic......... This document is horrifying for many reasons. One is, how far is it from an innocent tattoo is it to anyone with red hair or green eyes is an undesirable in order for these monsters to get something they want. Because I believe that racism is not the only issue here. tRUMP wants something and that's when he springs into action.
If you have a neighbor or perhaps even a family member who works for ICE, I would suggest treating them as they are now treating immigrants. When they question you, let that be the opening to the conversation: “What the Hell are you participating in?”
Yesterday I was hearing about Trump wanting a third term and at first I wondered who would attend his funeral. I concluded there would be at least two groups: one group, people who want to make sure he's really dead. Second group, people who are afraid of what might happen to them if they didn't attend.
Much has been written about the deplorable ‘leaders’ giving these ‘orders’ for the Trump regime, but what about the thousands? of officials carrying them out? None of this disgraceful trampling of human rights would be possible without these willing people eagerly implementing the lawless marching orders. That is what is so scary and shocking to me. If these people refused to act this way, then the awful power of the regime is instantly decreased…
Alex Howard insists that "we're better than this," but I honestly have my doubts. The anti-immigrant rhetoric coming out of members of both parties lately is depressing. If we let the Trump administration devastate migrant communities and communities of color, there's nothing to stop it from coming after the next underprivileged group. These are scary times.
It depends on who we mean by "we." I think that any persecuted group that can leave should leave.
https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/foreign-students-at-a-us-university?r=f0qfn
“Under this criteria, LeBron James, who has a crown tattoo and, like many NBA players, dresses in high-end street wear before games, would be "validated" as a member of TDA. (James would be spared deportation to El Salvador because of his American citizenship.)”
Are we sure about this?
I am VERY sure that James would not be safe. Possibly if he added the name tRUMP under the crown, but I think it is foolish to believe that James (or anyone else) will be safe from deportations or arrests for whatever the hell reason this sewer clown administration dreams up. I am an American living abroad. One of my children is at Columbia University. My daughter lives here in Sweden and is a nurse. She has already said she will never travel to the US again as long as this regime is in power. She is a dual Swedish/American citizen, but she was born in South Korea and is adopted. What she has been reading at how difficult getting into the US has become. So despite having family there, she does not want to risk it. In addition a Nordic expat group is encouraging those of us with non-citizenspouses to NOT bring them with us on a trip to the US. It's a terrifying thought,
Clicking "like" but really not liking it at all.
I wish there was another option than just the heart.
That's my question too. And if as they state(ridiculously) there is no way to get anyone out of CECOT or return them, what happens when this happen to a US citizen? Oopsie, you get a life sentence with a smiley emoji?
Yep. THEY DON'T CARE...if you're an 'enemy of the state' they intend to do what they want to you, law or no law, Constitution or no Constitution. The ultimate expression of Wilhoit's law:
"Conservatism consists of exactly one principle:
There must be an in-group whom the law protects, but does not bind, alongside an out-group who the law binds, but does not protect"
I think they are doing 2 things - flouting the court’s & seeing how far they can go. Secondly, if they bring one person back, the courts (and the public) will insist they have others returned. This administration wants to be in total control.
just another point: Plastered Pete Kegseth AKA "WhiskyLeads" has a prominent tattoo associated with a White Nationalist gang...
Great report, Judd. The incompetence and ignorance of this administration surpasses most dictatorial regimes.
When MAGAs realize how Trump policies screw them: "I blame Biden. He shoulda done a better job explaining how Trump's policies were gonna screw people like me. That's why I'm still MAGA.”
Trump World & CalvinBall: make rules up as you go... Of Course Trump Will Tank the Economy. It’s What Republicans Do. https://newrepublic.com/article/193360/trump-tank-economy-liberation-tariffs
So now in our country it is dangerous to be a young male who wants to look and dress "cool." Remember how every young male with an earring in one ear was declared gay...just because of that earring?
For Trump, taught by Roy Cohn, cruelty is power. We DO have something to fear: any kind of flimsy evidence that Trump with his limited intellect and paranoia can land anyone jobless, sued, and sometimes in the worst kind of prison imaginable. Thanks for the detailed report.
I mean, look at the tattoos on Pete Hegseth, the white Christian supremacy tattoos on his body. His tattoos are so radical and hate-filled that he was taken off a National Guard detail for President Biden. He gets a pass on his tattoos (freedom of expression), because they denigrate non-white, non-Christian people.
So I guess not getting any tattoos is probably a good idea for now? I see people all over the place with them so I must be surrounded by gang members. (Sarcasm emoji) I hope the people who are in jail unfairly get a hearing in court soon to clear up this mess.
It does not seem like the people in El Salvadoran concentration camp-like prison notorious for people not leaving alive are going to get a trial. They are already convicted by Trump for his performative needs to keep his fascist dictatorship going.
There are lots of reasons not to get a tattoo, like how they look on your skin when it fades, although one can get it re-inked. Also, the danger of blood poisoning from toxins in the inks, which can be done with non-toxic inks. I was first introduced to Tattoos as body art by photographer Diane Arbus.
https://www.artsy.net/artwork/diane-arbus-tattooed-man-at-a-carnival-md-1
https://www.tattoodo.com/tattoos/330353
https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/THE-HUMAN-PINCUSHION--1---RONALD-C--HARR/8A5220C7B22C9DD6
https://www.anita-gratzer.net/ph/coney-island/
https://www.deviantart.com/raouldufy/art/Diane-Arbus-teenage-girl-best-1074511724
It is BS. They know tattoos are not evidence. They are avoiding presenting evidence in court. In addition Tren de Aragua is not known to have an insignia or tattoo.Tourists have been questioned about their tattoos and had their devices searched at the border.
France’s interior minister said a French researcher had been turned away by U.S. border agents after they found messages on his phone. The messages were critical of the administration.
On one hand this administration exploits the fact that there are fewer rights for people to assert at the border. On the other hand they are violating the rights that exist for those living within our borders - no matter where they came from or their legal status.
All the while the GOP is again pushing legislation that would enact most of what the Orange Menace is pushing in his Executive Order on Voting. Making Americans prove they are citizens because our vote is our voice. Our voices threaten their wish for absolute power.
The League of Women Voters has opposed this since it was first introduced last year.
https://www.lwv.org/blog/safeguard-american-voter-eligibility-save-act-trick
We are in a time of war. Hybrid war from Russia and other countries. Warfare from Trump on US citizens and immigrants. Anat Shenker Osorio appeared on Ruth Ben-Ghiat's Friday zoom meeting and they told us that an authoritarian government has to create a dark, scary enemy that we have to all be afraid of, at the same time they have to appear efficient in getting rid of them, then they have to create another and another. So first, it was supposed "Mexican rapists", then supposed "Venezuelan gangsters" and now supposed "terrorist students." We don't know who will be next, but there will be a next and a next and a next. This is why I said that foreign students should all transfer to universities in other countries.
https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/foreign-students-at-a-us-university?r=f0qfn
It is harder for people fleeing their countries to leave though. If they cannot return to their countries where can they go? I suggest trying to get into Canada, and Greenland. Greenland could use a population infusion right about now. Of course, that is like immigrating to Denmark. Not sure how easy that is to do.
One of the first tenets of fascism is that the "hated other" is both weak, degenerate and powerless AND is an existential threat to the State.
I'm pretty sure my WHITE (very Irish looking), lesbian, basketball loving niece is NOT a member of the Venezuelan Tren de Araqua. She has this tattoo -- for 3 years now. She wanted to get it earlier, but the pandemic......... This document is horrifying for many reasons. One is, how far is it from an innocent tattoo is it to anyone with red hair or green eyes is an undesirable in order for these monsters to get something they want. Because I believe that racism is not the only issue here. tRUMP wants something and that's when he springs into action.
If you have a neighbor or perhaps even a family member who works for ICE, I would suggest treating them as they are now treating immigrants. When they question you, let that be the opening to the conversation: “What the Hell are you participating in?”
Yesterday I was hearing about Trump wanting a third term and at first I wondered who would attend his funeral. I concluded there would be at least two groups: one group, people who want to make sure he's really dead. Second group, people who are afraid of what might happen to them if they didn't attend.
Judd, So needed Journalism which we are not getting from main stream. I hope they get this information and report it.
Truth will set us free! Thank You 🙏
I agree. This is really excellent reporting.
Let’s all get Michael Jordan tats and high-end street wear. Just to f with them.
Erm.... you first.
He has sent an additional 17 migrants to El Salvador per the Washington Post. So ignoring the judge’s TRO on Friday.
Much has been written about the deplorable ‘leaders’ giving these ‘orders’ for the Trump regime, but what about the thousands? of officials carrying them out? None of this disgraceful trampling of human rights would be possible without these willing people eagerly implementing the lawless marching orders. That is what is so scary and shocking to me. If these people refused to act this way, then the awful power of the regime is instantly decreased…