Hunter
02/03/26
Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, who is now running for the US Senate, questioned the motivation of a local immigration advocacy group and their participation in ICE check-ins on a social media post.
The Facebook post said, “I’m deeply disturbed by recent events in Cedar Rapids, where Escucha Mi Voz is hosting so-called ‘legal observer trainings’ that encourage interference with law enforcement operations. After four years of Biden’s open borders, our law enforcement is working to remove criminals from our streets, and masquerading as a nonprofit to undermine that efforts raises serious questions about retaining 501©(3) tax-exempt status. We need to lower the temperature. These ‘trainings’ do exactly the opposite.”
People reacting to the post pointed out that Escucha Mi Vos trains people to observe, and specifically instruct them to not interfere. Others point out that the group was exercising their First Amendment rights to assemble peaceably.
One reaction to the post said, “Having decided she’s fine with federal agents killing a law-abiding American exercising his Second Amendment right to carry a firearm, Rep. Ashley Hinson decided she no longer supports the First Amendment protection of “the people peaceably to assembly.”
The group has been accompanying immigrants to their ICE appointments and check-ins, after some were deported without due process. They have been accompanied by area lawmakers, clergy and activists.