Years ago, the ten-week GS-1811 Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at FLETC (and the old INS Immigration Agent series course) didn't emphasize traffic stops, even though we had a few days of it (how to approach a vehicle, remove an uncompliant suspect, but that was minimal). Deliberate raid training and house clearing was stressed, not ad hoc hasty traffic checkpoints.
In this madness, clever federal agents would employ the experts at traffic stops and DWI checkpoints-- the local police.
Local and state police are more trained and experienced and have the right tools: orange traffic cones, spotlights, and heavy patrol cars.
Once the local police have channelized vehicles into a single lane at a checkpoint, the federal agent would then ask the driver for proof of citizenship or residency. If cleared, the agent tells the the police officer who takes over with instructions for the driver.
"Please go straight on, Ma'am." And he visibly signals "OK" for all to see.
If not cleared, the agent tells the officer to pull them over.
"Please pull to the side here, Sir." And he visibly signals "86-er" for all to see.
These ad hoc teams of ICE agents who never worked together before or conducted rehearsals are why these stupid senseless tragedies happen. Plus the lack of quality personnel.
But the definition of "removals" changed under Obama, such that rather than call them "returns" (at the border) they became "removals" (similar to old definition 94'? of deportation)
So obviously more people crossing the border and "returned", would mean more "removals" hence the idea that Biden deported more. So what.
#23 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-01-12 06:37 PM | Reply
That is not accurate. "Removal" become part of the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1996, with the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA). The reason was to separate the process of "Removing" people who had never been legally admitted to the U.S. from the process of "Deporting" people who had been legally admitted as an immigrant or non-immigrant alien, but had violated their status.