Sanctuary cities exist, in part, so that minor misdemeanors can reasonably be reported and resolved even if they involve undocumented immigrants. The ICE detention at Gerald E. Talbot Community School, which will (in effect) completely alter the lives of an entire family — probably severely re-victimizing a victim of minor domestic abuse — is a wonderful example.

It’s no wonder the ICE agents were so slow to identify themselves: discouraging domestic violence reports and targeting otherwise upstanding immigrants who commit misdemeanors is not admirable.

Rolfe G. Petschek
Kennebunkport