PHOTO BY ICE FAMILY VIA UNSPLASH.COM
We received a press release this weekend sharing that, “A group of concerned citizens will gather outside the Orlando ICE office at 9495 Delegates Drive [GMap] this Friday, March 27, from 2 to 5 p.m. in a protest action framed as a mock job fair.”
Conceived by Orlando residents Larry Fulford and artist and activist Hannah Miller, the event is meant to encourage ICE employees to consider some other career options. Organizers plan to set up on the public sidewalk outside the office with lists of local job openings, applications, and business cards.
The organizers cite several specific grievances: the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who they describe as nonviolent protesters; the Department of Homeland Security’s characterization of Good, Pretti, and other protesters as “domestic terrorists”; and conditions in immigrant detention facilities. They say the monthly protests will continue until ICE employees are held accountable and those conditions are addressed.
The event is part of a recurring monthly series. The release states that all are welcome to attend, with or without job listings from their own employer. More information is available HERE at the Facebook event page.
DHS has been offering up to $50,000 in signing bonuses split over three years, plus up to $60,000 in student loan repayment and forgiveness, on top of a base salary ranging from $49,739 to $89,528 a year. Reports suggest that only retired employees returning to the job are eligible for the full $50,000 bonus, and that it comes in $10,000 installments rather than a lump sum. DHS placed an asterisk on the $50,000 figure in its own recruitment materials without clearly explaining the terms.
