Thread by @HMAesq

This is the most accurate headline about Trump's tweet.

It is absolutely a deportation threat. Clearly political, red meat to his base, on the eve of his 2020 re-election campaign. Like most threats, it's designed to create fear. And it's working.

apnews.com/e32b4a65baf74a…

He will probably have a tough time meeting it, for several reasons:

1 - ICE was blindsided by the tweet. Yet another example of dysfunction.

2 - ICE doesn't have the resources to deport millions. (Being a thorn in his side is one of my life's great satisfactions.)

3 - It's not even clear who he's targeting - those with final orders of deportation, those with final expedited orders, or just anyone without status.

Now that he's said it, I suppose ICE has to do what it can to make it a reality. Or at least an illusion of reality.

This is psychological warfare. We talked to some of our clients yesterday. No one ever knows who will be targeted, and any prediction we make is as reliable as the President's memory. That's part of the game and I'm sure, makes Stephen Miller rub his hands together with glee.

They control the action. We control the reaction.

1 - KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. The administration is counting on people running and hiding, not seeking advice, not standing together. There are thousands - millions - of people who stand with these unfairly targeted people.

2 - CHANGE THE SYSTEM - These laws don't work, and *cannot* be forced upon the people unless we let them. #Vote elected officials out. Gather your power at local levels. Do not take this lying down. Use your voice for someone who might be too afraid to use theirs.

3 - FOCUS - Change requires pressure and time. Don't fall for the next shiny object. Remember, focusing on the change for the most marginalized will slow the administration's roll more broadly. Go for the jugular and keep at it.

Remember: you have the right to have a lawyer, you don't have to answer questions, or even open the door if ICE comes to your home. In most cases, ICE only has an administrative warrant, which does NOT require you to open the door because it's not signed by a judge.

The best way to avoid a punch is to not be there, so find out how to fix your immigration history. At least this time you have some advance notice.

Make sure to have a deportation plan - arrangements for your family and children. They'll ensure that families are separated because that's the best way to terrorize community. They lead with cruelty because they are weak, but we lead with compassion, for compassion is strength.