ICE raids with Canadian weapons?

Asarial, I almost spit out my coffee when I read this headline.

Brampton-based armoured-vehicle manufacturer, Roshel, is set to supply ICE with “a rush order” of 20 new bullet- and bomb-resistant tactical vehicles — machines destined for raids that have already been terrorizing communities and tearing families apart just across the border.

ICE has been widely criticized for excessive force, cruelty, and systemic abuses — built on targeting migrants and communities of colour. Now, under direction from Trump, the agency is preparing to further militarize, and a Canadian company is helping make it possible.

Asarial, the contract was finalized only last week, and no vehicle has been delivered yet – so there is still time to stop this.

We have a narrow window to push the federal government to intervene and stop this deal; to do it, we have to show huge opposition. Will you sign the petition now calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister McGuinty to block this ICE contract?

Canada’s complicity in the racist violence south of the border is inexcusable. And it is coming as the Trump administration announces even more escalation to racist and xenophobic U.S. immigration policies — including new bans that would affect more than 19 countries and limit the number of refugees for next year to only 7500.

Trump’s racism and dehumanization have shown no bounds — and as the US’s next-door neighbour, we should be doing what we can to support migrant communities and workers. Sending weapons to aid in ICE raids is abhorrent and simply unacceptable.

Without public pressure, this deal could set a dangerous precedent — one where Canadian-made military equipment becomes a routine part of ICE’s violence. Asarial, will you add your name now, calling on Prime Minister Carney and Defence Minister McGuinty to stop this contract?

With urgency,
Jesse and Ellen for Leadnow

Sources:
CTV, ICE ordering fleet of 20 armoured vehicles from Canadian firm
BBC, Trump sets refugee admissions cap for coming year at record low
CBC, Trump administration pauses all immigration applications from 19 non-European countries