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ICE’s “Broken Copier” Lie: A New Low in Trump-Era Immigration Tactics
In what critics are calling a dystopian twist on immigration enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reportedly begun using a bizarre and deceptive tactic to detain immigrants: claiming the office copier is “broken.”
This Orwellian excuse was used during the recent detention of Barbara Marques, a Brazilian filmmaker, who appeared for a routine green card appointment — part of a lawful path toward permanent residency. Instead of processing her paperwork, officials told her the copier was malfunctioning. Minutes later, ICE officers appeared and detained her. Immigration advocates argue this is far from a one-off incident. The “broken copier” trick appears to be part of a growing ICE strategy to lure immigrants into controlled spaces under false pretenses, only to ambush them with detention orders. And while this may sound like bad TV satire, it’s very real — and very dangerous.
“This isn’t enforcement, it’s entrapment,” said one immigration lawyer who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. “People following legal procedures are being tricked into ICE custody. It’s a violation of trust, of due process, and basic decency.” Under the Trump administration, ICE gained unprecedented leeway to pursue immigrants — even those with no criminal records — as part of a broader crackdown framed as “law and order.” But critics say the reality has been racial profiling, surveillance-state tactics, and now, outright deception.
What makes this tactic especially chilling is that it targets immigrants doing everything right: showing up for appointments, filling out forms, trusting the system. That system, it seems, is now booby-trapped. If the U.S. government is now relying on broken copier lies to detain people, it’s not just a question of policy — it’s a question of ethics. And for many, it’s a flashing red light about the state of democracy and justice in America.
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