The March 14 directive, signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, uses an obscure 18th-century law — the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 — to give law enforcement nationwide the power to bypass basic constitutional protections.
According to the memo, agents can break into a home if getting a warrant is “impracticable,” and they don’t need a judge’s approval. Instead, immigration officers can sign their own administrative warrants. The bar for action is low — a “reasonable belief” that someone might be part of a Venezuelan gang is enough.
If a bunch of armed guys in masks show up refusing to identify themselves or provide warrants, what do you think most people would assume they are???
In a country with more guns than people, this seems line an insanely stupid tactic that guarantees preventable tragedies.
Warrants get rubber stamped on a regular basis, the argument that it's suddenly too onerous a burden and they're just allowed to ignore our constitutional rights is pretty fucking absurd too.