The Somalians that I was referring to in my letter of Jan. 22 (“Mainers should let ICE agents do their job”), whom ICE proceeded to talk to, engage with, follow and/or detain, may not have broken the law — as in burglary, rape or stealing — but if their citizenship paperwork wasn’t in order to be living here legally (meaning they must attend required meetings and present these credentials in a timely manner when asked), this might be why they got detained.

A letter published in response on Feb. 11 (“Innocence is no protection against ICE”) suggests I should have been more clear.

Anything that would delay or impede an immigrant’s clearance to stay, it is their own responsibility to get it straightened out. It is not up to us. It could’ve been a mistake, but it is what it is. There are repercussions for breaking the law.

Living in America is a privilege, not a right. You earn it. It’s not free freedom, it’s freedom that our forefathers paid their lives for us to have. And the immigrants should be grateful and understand it’s earned, not given. Maybe they should take a history lesson, and anyone that calls our men “storm troopers” should, too. Call these men who they are, government officials, yes, also known as ICE.

Margaret Hight
Minot