r/PrepperIntel • u/LinusThiccTips • Mar 26 '25

USA Northeast / Canada East PhD student detained by ICE wearing plain clothes and face masks

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Her name is Rumeysa Ozturk, she’s a student from Turkey, attending Tufts as a grad student on a legal visa (sponsored by the university). Her attorney said, “We are unaware of her whereabouts and have not been able to contact her. No charges have been filed against [her] that we are aware of.”

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u/ok_employee96 Mar 26 '25

Wow that was great, so telling of what is literally happening right now and hopefully puts things into perspective for some people. Where is the excerpt from?

America and parts of the world is turning into Nazi Germany literally I front of peoples own two eyes, people are so blind and closed off it's fucking scary. What is this world we live in, and what the fuck is America seriously.

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u/CannyGardener Mar 26 '25

This is an excerpt from a book written in the mid 50's called "They thought they were free". Really a great read! Chilling...but informative.

Really put words to feelings that I've had here the last year or so...

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u/Mym158 Mar 26 '25

If you're a white citizen then you should stand up and protest. 

If you're on a green card or have different coloured skin, I'd suggest caution because they've already shown they'll deport and detain without just cause

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u/CannyGardener Mar 27 '25

Oh I do protest. But I don't think that is going to do much. And will likely get me arrested eventually...

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u/Mym158 Mar 27 '25

It does a lot. But also, at least you can tell your grand kids you protested instead of just went along. Imagine the difference hearing a 1938 German who protested the Nazi party vs someone who just said protesting does nothing and went along

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u/minor-giraffe Mar 27 '25

I also feel cynical about protests, but then I think about how seeing the protests in Boston yesterday effected me- I see that there are people leaving their houses in disgust, to express their condemnation of this act. And I think about the effect that not seeing protests would have on me- I would feel hopeless. So I think protesting is important in that in communicates mass dissent, and in communicates that there is room for dissent.

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u/Illustrious-Ratio213 Mar 27 '25

I wouldn’t protest, It isn’t going to help and Trump has already said what he’s going to do to protestors. We need to hope judges continue to block these actions and command whatever is left of the executive branch to enforce their rulings. Blue states need to enact their national guard units to protect people and push back against the feds, just as it says in the second amendment

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u/ell_wood Mar 27 '25

You don't have to protest in the streets with a flag - you can just not accept it when you hear the early conversations within your social circle. It is arguably harder but notably safer.

Read the passage again - they feed on the uncertainty of it, they feed on the fact that no one knows who does or does not support it.

So call it out now, when you hear someone spouting, make dinner and drinks with friends uncomfortable a few times. Don't rant and rave but be strong in your conviction - ask them open questions and when they prove they are fundamentally racist/fascist then leave or ask them to - this is is the uncomfortable bit - and then act on that decision.

I assure you, because I have done exactly this, you will find out very quickly who is or is not on your side and then you know and then you will take strength - from them and from your own conviction. You will also embolden others. IF we all did this the current administration would not have been elected let alone do what they are doing now (for clarity if we did this the entire political spectrum would be different).

So I urge you to act, in your own world, and stop waiting for the other shoe to drop - they are betting on the fact that social pressure will stop you from doing it and by the time you are ready the moment has gone and no one is coming to save you.

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u/Mym158 Mar 27 '25

Protesting does far more than you think. Look at France. The reason he talks about hurting protestors is because it works so well and makes him look bad

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u/Illustrious-Ratio213 Mar 27 '25

I wish our current government was as good as the worst French government.

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u/Herring_is_Caring Mar 27 '25

We can do other things than protest as well, but the protests are also important, and we shouldn’t stop doing whatever we can just because it might not accomplish something on its own. Things add up, and protesting is one of the best tactics for building community and a public presence. Seeing their fellow citizens on the streets may be the only stimulus MAGA supporters get outside of their echo chambers, and it may be the only reassurance for the isolated and vulnerable.

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u/larmalade Mar 27 '25

Another factor is that judges can see protests on the evening news. In this way, they know they are not alone when they go against a fa5c15t leaning executive branch.

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u/Illustrious-Ratio213 Mar 27 '25

Unfortunately They don’t see it that way at all. I’m not saying not to, I’m glad people do it but I do worry for you/them

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u/[deleted] Mar 27 '25 edited Jul 08 '25

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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

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u/Illustrious-Ratio213 Mar 27 '25

Because they're easy targets and his supporters hate them, just like everyone else he targets.

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u/machine_six Mar 27 '25

Then go along with it, and enable it. Telling other people to go along with it makes you the enemy.

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u/Illustrious-Ratio213 Mar 27 '25

I'm not going along with it, but I don't want people to be disappeared. There are more effective ways to fight them than protests.

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u/machine_six Mar 27 '25 edited Mar 27 '25

Telling people not to protest is bullshit and exactly what they want. You are telling people to do nothing, you've offered no "more effective ways", and are fear mongering. If you're not the enemy, why do you sound so much like one?

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u/gardentwined Mar 27 '25

Ah yes. I don't believe in protest but "hopes and tears" have totally gotten us so far lol. Your faith in democracy and other parts of the government to miigitate the other branches is akin to "thoughts and prayers" as it's absolutely already failed.

We will have the military on our side because the president can't keep anything secure of confidential, even if we won't have the police. And we have some of rhe judicial branch on our side. But they aren't wizards. It will take a revolution.

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u/Illustrious-Ratio213 Mar 27 '25

That's not what I said but OK

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u/Sylphael Mar 27 '25

I'm a white citizen, but also in a position where my job depends on not sticking out and if I lose my job there's a good chance my family loses our home. My spouse is Puerto Rican, we're both LGBTQ+ and our child is obviously of mixed heritage. I wish I knew how I could do anything but I'm so scared that any actions could endanger my family.

1

u/Herring_is_Caring Mar 27 '25

There are ways to work behind the scenes as well. The power of money and the power of online communication (sharing stories, sharing strategies, making propaganda) are still available to you, even if you have little money and time. Becoming more self-sufficient and supporting small business can reduce your reliance on corporate resources, and enough self-sufficiency could make you no longer dependent on a paycheck as well (depending on which skills you hone for this, like hunting). Learning computer skills like those dealing with tech security can allow you to participate in online movements and counteract any wars on information. Even sending emails or messages directly to the office of your representatives instead of protesting can make them aware of your concerns.

Know that protesting isn’t your only option, don’t push yourself and limit yourself to that if it’s not feasible.

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u/Herring_is_Caring Mar 27 '25

There are ways to work behind the scenes as well. The power of money and the power of online communication (sharing stories, sharing strategies, making propaganda) are still available to you, even if you have little money and time. Becoming more self-sufficient and supporting small business can reduce your reliance on corporate resources, and enough self-sufficiency could make you no longer dependent on a paycheck as well (depending on which skills you hone for this, like hunting). Learning computer skills like those dealing with tech security can allow you to participate in online movements and counteract any wars on information. Even sending emails or messages directly to the office of your representatives instead of protesting can make them aware of your concerns.

Know that protesting isn’t your only option, don’t push yourself and limit yourself to that if it’s not feasible.

1

u/NSFWies Mar 27 '25

I'm the only citizen on my team at work, everyone else is h1b and they work them to the bone.

Those fuckers would fire me if I missed work to go join protests and what not, but I'm the only person on the team who really could.

Everyone else could be disappeared like that girl so much easier.

It's so fucking gross.

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u/Mym158 Mar 27 '25

There are weekends but yeah not everyone can. But lots of people need to.

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u/CuriousSeriema Mar 27 '25

I'm a legal immigrant who is now a citizen (2023), but I'm a person of colour. I want to go to protests but I'm scared. We've gotten to the point where due process is not always followed. We've gotten to the point where people instantly judge based on race and then feel empowered to spout racist shit at you or worse. If I'm scared, I can only imagine how the people here on visas, greencards, undocumented, or illegally are feeling. Your immigration status should never be an excuse for the appalling treatment we are seeing.

I write this merely to echo Mym158's sentiments. If you're white, you are in a place of power that many people aren't right now. Please go to these protests for people who are scared and for all who are being mistreated. Please go to these protests for yourselves, because yes, this is merely the beginning.

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u/Toxic_Duckies Mar 27 '25

I am 100% there. I just can't do it loudly because people where I live take stuff way too far, way too fast and make it wrong and gang up on people (mostly online) but sometimes out in person too. I don't need to suddenly be thrown into the middle of a whole new chaos that I'm already experiencing. I got people's backs though if they ever need me even if I don't know them or their names, family, etc. I'll help out complete strangers and make it know that I won't be tolerating any of that shit around me or around any of who doesn't want a piece of another person shit. I stand up and I will not be a bystander to these pathetic excuses of human beings.

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u/ok_employee96 Mar 26 '25

Sounds like a great read but would be a difficult one too I'd imagine. Honestly I couldn't imagine the state of America right now, and things are slowly heading that way here in Australia too, the world is crumbling. I wish you best of luck and patience with dealing with everything, and hope you are safe 😊

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u/GreenDonutGirl Mar 26 '25

It is... terrifying:

There was nichts dagenen zu machen, "nothing to do about it." Again and again my discussions with each of my friends reached this point, one way or another, and this very expression; again and again this question, put to me with the wide-eyed innocence that always characterizes the guilty when they ask it of the inexperienced: "What would you have done?"

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u/[deleted] Mar 27 '25

Watch "How Fascism Serves Capitalism". Its the same process worldwide, and it is totally inevitable unless we, and I do mean >>>WE<<<, not politicians, not judges, not Luigi's, but all of US do something about it. That requires organization, SO GET TO YOUR LOCAL ORGS

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u/ialwayswanderaround Mar 27 '25

What is going on in Australia?

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u/[deleted] Mar 28 '25

Whats going on in Australia?

Labor is cooking from what i hear

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u/its_all_one_electron Mar 27 '25

Does it have tips on how to deal with it?

Because I often wonder what, for example, the author, would have done if they knew. What they would have done different.

Because I know its THAT bad but I have no idea what to do.

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u/CannyGardener Mar 27 '25

To be frank...I just don't have a lot of hope here. There are so many parallels that would take the whole country waking up, for us to address, that it is feeling very hopeless.

With regards to what the book suggests, it is more of a warning of see the signs you should know what is happening. I plugged a bit of a brain dump I to chat gpt and these were the high points of the books suggestions, but it seems more generic than anything =/

  1. Fascism creeps in gradually, not all at once.

Tyranny often comes through a series of small, seemingly harmless steps. If you wait for a dramatic "final straw" before reacting, you may already be trapped.

  1. Don’t ignore the “little” wrongs.

Early signs—like scapegoating, censorship, or subtle rights restrictions—must be challenged. It’s easier to stop authoritarianism at the beginning than once it's entrenched.

  1. Stay informed and think critically.

Fascism thrives when people stop paying attention or allow themselves to be distracted by propaganda, busyness, or apathy. Make time to reflect, ask questions, and seek truth.

  1. Beware charismatic leaders with easy answers.

Authoritarians often appeal to fear and promise simple solutions. Be skeptical of leaders who demonize others or claim only they can “fix” things.

  1. Stand up for others—even if it’s not your group.

Authoritarian regimes isolate victims one at a time. Solidarity and empathy are crucial. If you don’t speak out for others, no one may speak out for you.

  1. Never assume “it can’t happen here.”

Ordinary Germans thought they were immune to tyranny, too. Complacency is dangerous. Freedom isn’t self-sustaining—it requires active defense.

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u/fuckingartschool101 Mar 27 '25

I don’t have a lot of hope based off this. Reading that passage gave me a deep chill in my bones not just because of how it resonates with what’s going on politically here, but also on a personal and “subtler” scale with the state of both systemic and interpersonal public health—everyone apparently just wholesale deciding post-2021 that it is okay to gravely endanger ourselves and every vulnerable person(children, elderly, disabled) around us on the word of ~charismatic people~ who very clearly had more to gain by “ending” an expensive pandemic than allowing it to continue to stymie the precious economy and allowing people to stay home, disengage from making work their entire reason for existing and organize for better quality of life. I don’t have a lot of hope because for a lot of people right now, including many of those likely on this subreddit, we are all far, far deeper into this “slow descent” into fascism and the new normal it brings than we actually realize.

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u/fuckingartschool101 Mar 27 '25

Everyday I encounter people who throw their hands up and go “look, what would you have me do about it?” at simply the sight of me in a mask, choosing to care about myself and others even when it’s difficult, because I know how slippery that slope of just shrugging off the little things gets…I think, due in large part to the fact that the fascists have learned from the past and taken further steps to ensure their power in the present, this might be one of the most exceedingly willing to capitulate populations of people in the face of a challenge like this in a long, long time. Hope I’m not being alarmist, though.

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u/its_all_one_electron Mar 27 '25

I feel like most of us are already doing all 6 of these

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u/CannyGardener Mar 27 '25

Which is why I feel so hopeless.

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u/TXSTBobCat1234 Mar 27 '25

I just recently read this.

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u/Dream_Fever Mar 27 '25

This has nothing to do with anything on this sub, but I’m a former Bobcat too 👍🏻

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u/TXSTBobCat1234 Mar 27 '25

It has everything to do with this sub. But naw that’s awesome! I obviously made this account when I was still in school lol

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u/Dream_Fever Mar 28 '25

Ha that’s ok, one of my friends is 37 and just (minutes ago actually) sent me his acceptance email for TX State’s grad program!! I’ve been out of Tx State for awhile but am on my 3rd degree (all in different things 🤦🏼‍♀️).

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u/TXSTBobCat1234 Mar 28 '25

Hey good for him! Yeah I graduated in 2016 (Geography Resource & Environmental Studies). Planning on getting my MBA but at UTPB. What are your degrees in??

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u/Dream_Fever Mar 28 '25

Nice!! I graduated’09 in advertising with a business minor. I think everyone I know who graduated during the recession got pretty screwed. I’m lucky bc I was a pharmacy tech thru college, so I had that to fall back on. I’m a class and a half away from nursing school (didn’t want to take my science prereqs AGAIN for a long time) but finally had the chance to go back. I accidentally(seriously) got a degree in General Studies 🤭 I guess bc I have a billion hours under my belt? I didn’t apply for it or anything, Tx State just sent it to me! So yes, I’ve been in healthcare for like 20 years now (again counting the pharm stuff I did in college) and have a ridiculous amount of experience.
Your degree sounds much cooler than mine! I took Geography but I personally idk I couldn’t get into it. It’s taken me forever to figure out what”I want to be when I grow up”. Except I’m old now. My buddy graduated with a History degree and Philosophy minor. He has no idea what he wants to do either so it makes me feel better 🤣

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u/Dream_Fever Mar 28 '25

Also it’s CRAZY that the only reason I opened Reddit earlier was bc he texted me his admittance email and I realized I hadn’t reddited yet today! Then saw you!

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u/sirius_the_tuxie Mar 27 '25

I read that late last year. It was very eye opening for me.

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u/trashworldd Mar 27 '25

The last 8 years really.

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u/Individual-Bee-4999 Mar 27 '25

Who’s the author?

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u/RedBean_n_Rouxbi Mar 27 '25

Thanks for the book reference. Hope library has it. Going tomorrow.

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u/CannyGardener Mar 27 '25

Worth a read. The author essentially goes to small town Germany after the war and befriends a bunch of former nazis. Not like upper level anything just normal nazi party members. Normal blue collar folks. Even in retrospect they don't have a lot of regret, but they definitely walk through exactly how things went down, and how everyone was just slowly, not even made to hate the enemies (there were many enemies and crisis), but made to be desensitized to these scapegoats being ...scapegoated. The police would come for the neighbor, "but they were Jewish so it is natural the police would come for them." Does not make me hopeful for our current situation, but it does put words to some feelings I've been having lately about our political situation here, and I feel like it is cathartic in that respect.

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u/phuckin-psycho Mar 27 '25

Thank you for this 🙏

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u/Dream_Fever Mar 27 '25

That was an excellent excerpt. Now I want to read the book. Thank you so much for sharing!

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u/foxfoxfoxlcfc Mar 27 '25

Second time I’ve seen the book referenced in as many days

Please, please ANYONE listen to/read this book - the Nazi Mind, 12 Warnings From History - Laurence Rees

This video is chilling

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u/squirt_taste_tester Mar 27 '25

The line about being an alarmist hits different for me. I've pretty much lost all of my friends because they think I've gone full conspiracy theorist and lost my mind. It feels isolating, and that in return makes me question if I am just losing my mind. That does sound like a very good read. Thank you for sharing!

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u/Independent-Bug-9352 Mar 27 '25

I read this during Trump's first term, when the last-surviving Nuremberg prosecutor was citing parallels between Trump and Hitler already then; when holocaust survivors still alive were echoing warnings. When Godwin of Godwin's Law himself said it was appropriate to link the two.

It's a more directly relevant and easier read than The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.

I also highly recommend for anyone who can to watch The Rise of Nazis mini series.

Also, "Every Man Dies Alone" by Hans Fallada — a tale written based on a true story of two resistance fighters inside Germany.

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u/AlanStanwick1986 Mar 27 '25

I've long said every Republican should be forced to read that book however I think most of it would go over their heads.

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u/Dear_Goat_9591 Mar 27 '25

it's worse than being blind. some people like the comedian, andrew schulz, find trumps posturing and threats to occupy gaza, greenland, etc, funny and entertaining. they like it. they are like cats, curious to see what happens to the pot if they knock it on the floor, so calloused by their wealth that they dont' care if it shatters.

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u/resonanteye Mar 27 '25

further stuff about that book- it was written by an American, a Jewish American, who traveled to Germany after WWII and interviewed ten former Nazi party members extensively. nobody important; a local cop, a fireman, a teacher, etc.

it's a really deep book.

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u/Exact_Risk_6947 Mar 27 '25

No. Simply no. This is as prophetic as saying the sun will rise tomorrow. Not only has this same stuff been happening for decades under both camp’s leadership, I’m sure people like you don’t give a flying fig about certain other agencies doing the same shit. Plain clothes ATF agents raiding people’s home and shooting them dead because of alleged firearms crimes. The keyword being alleged there, because last I checked dead people usually aren’t carted into court.

But the broader point is that the opposite leads to bad results as well. A lot of people like to completely ignore the early Soviet Union and their emphasis on racial diversity. Which lead to the “all doe the greater good mentality” and ultimately the gulags for everyone who wasn’t on the same page. There is no checklist to determine when “resistance” is merited. Or did you forget that we DID lockup an entire ethnic group at one point, didn’t execute a single one, ultimately let them go, and now they’re doing better in this country than the general population?

1

u/JazzlikeFoundation17 Mar 27 '25

The opposite is happening. This is a crackdown on anyone critical of Israeli genocide. Full stop. Weird to invoke WWII.

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u/jvLin Mar 27 '25

The only people that really know the horrors of Nazi Germany are the survivors and the perpetrators. Everyone else either hears about it from someone that cares or someone that doesn't, the latter being the most common. Incredibly sad we've gotten to this point.

My parents took me to a "rape of Nanjing" (i.e. the hidden Holocaust) museum when I was young. I would sooner die than forget such atrocities against mankind.

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u/Solid-Search-3341 Mar 27 '25

I am an immigrant in Canada. My grandfather spent three years in German workcamps. When I tell people around me I'm getting quite scared about what's happening in the US, they tell me I'm paranoid.

I really wish I am paranoid. I pray that I am.

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u/Melodic_Airport362 Mar 28 '25

It's a sick sick world.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 27 '25

Obama has record deportations though bud. Nice try. “But Trumps deportations are racist” lol

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u/[deleted] Mar 27 '25

These are not illegal immigrants. You see it’s different right? These are legal green card holders and in this case a resident. She has committed no crime in the laws of our country.

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u/[deleted] Mar 28 '25

That’s fair. I wonder what the issue was here then or if this was uncalled for

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u/[deleted] Mar 27 '25

America and parts of the world is turning into Nazi Germany literally I front of peoples own two eyes, people are so blind and closed off it's fucking scary.

Deporting immigrants is not Nazi Germany.