I went to @dcdmv to change the name on my license and a frontline worker threatened me with ICE over a paperwork technicality. Thread:
I'm a few months into my legal name change. I'm done with the courthouse piece - had a judge hearing last week. Today, I waited for hours at a Social Security office to get the name on my social security card changed. I got a temporary paper while the new card comes in the mail.
I wasn't sure if I could use the temporary paper to reach my next milestone: a photo ID with my new name. At @dcdmv today, the worker told me I could not. When I asked why, she said, "You don't want ICE at your doorstep, do you?"
She apologized when I told her that I'm a US citizen, and that ICE coming to my door had nothing to do with my question. Even with my US passport, my education, my fluency in govt offices as a shield - I left nearly in tears.
Even though her threat was empty, I can't shake thoughts of ICE acting with impunity: naturalized citizens losing their citizenship, 2,000+ children disappearing, families detained and harassed at the border.
What ICE does is dehumanizing and violent. @dcdmv, your workers should never use it to threaten people who come to your office for help. Your workers should never assume someone's immigration status because they are a person of color.
I want to be clear; I do not want this worker to lose her job or stature over this. I simply want no other person at a government office seeking help to experience this, starting with @dcdmv.
If you agree that ICE is dehumanizing and violent, I want you to show up at a #KeepFamiliesTogether protest this Saturday, 6/30. I want you to tell your rep to #AbolishICE. I want you to do an action from @mollieruskin's spreadsheet: airtable.com/shrbEgHkLQ0TQY… /fin
