When ICE Comes for a MAGA Supporter
What happens to the right’s immigration views when the target for deportation is one of their own?
In October 2022, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Samuel Sey, a conservative evangelical blogger, for potential deportation. Sey, born in Ghana and a resident of Canada before moving to the United States, defended Trump administration mass deportations from a Christian perspective, stating "Christian ethics do not denounce deportations; they demand it."
Despite facing deportation, Sey's wife asserts that he entered the U.S. legally and has been working to obtain permanent legal status. Some supporters have blamed his arrest on a clerical error, which federal-enforcement efforts in the U.S. have averaged 19,000 deportations a month. Many prominent MAGA-aligned Christians, including Sey, have faced criticism for their stance on illegal immigration.
Despite the controversy, some within the MAGA coalition raised funds for Sey's family, emphasizing his good character and contributions to their community. The debate has polarized MAGA participants, revealing fissures within their coalition.
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