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Sen. King Lashes Out Against Immigration Enforcement on Sunday

Sen. King Lashes Out Against Immigration Enforcement on Sunday

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


Maine Independent Senator Angus King is harshly criticizing the ICE “Operation Catch of the Day” in Maine, saying the Obama Administration deported millions of immigrants without major disruptions.

“Obama during his administration, there were something like 2.7 million removals, but you didn’t have people roaming the streets with masks on,” said King while making an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday. “By the way, I’ve never seen law enforcement with masks on in my life. Where I come from, the people wearing masks are the bad guys.”

King said residents in Portland are wrongly being struck with fear.

“People are afraid to send their kids to school,” said King. “People are afraid to go to work. Businesses are suffering because their workers can’t come in. Families are sending food to their friends who are afraid to come out. That’s the real impact of this.”

King called the actions of ICE officials “an attempt to intimidate the American people.”

In addition, he noted that “armed people with masks and telling people they can’t photograph what they are doing and intimidating protesters, that’s not American,” he said. “These people are acting outside the Constitution. They are ignoring our laws”

In addition, King said he “hates” government shutdowns but that he might be forced to back one this week. The Senate must approve a bipartisan spending package before a Friday deadline.

Democrats have vowed to block the bill because it includes $10 billion for ICE. “I can’t vote for a bill that includes ICE funding under these circumstances,” King said.

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