Dear ICE member,
What happened to you that hardened your heart enough to do the job you’re doing now? I’m sorry for whatever pain or trauma brought you to this place.
What happened to you that made you believe your pain could be eased by causing pain to others? Your healing won’t come from someone else’s suffering.
What happened to you that allows you to see others as less than because they are different from you? Seeing others as less than won’t soothe the insecurities within yourself.
What happened to you that made you believe you can act above the law and deny others due process? Feeling powerful through control will never make you feel safe or whole.
What happened to you that makes you feel big by abusing power and harming others? Your need to be seen and to know you matter is a natural human emotion. When you begin to love yourself, you’ll find you can love others more deeply, especially those not like you.
What happened to you that keeps you hiding behind a mask? Somewhere deep within, you know this isn’t right, or your face would be uncovered and your badge proudly shown for work you felt honor in doing.
What happened to you that silenced the child within, the one who still longs to be seen, to be loved, and to feel safe? Somewhere inside, that child is still crying out for attention and care, unsure how to receive it in healthy ways.
What happened to you that numbed your heart enough to carry out harm? Somewhere inside, your heart is aching over what you’ve done.
What happened to you that made you unable to see the pain you’ve caused, the fear in the eyes of those you detain, and the heartbreak in the families you separate? Acknowledging their pain is part of finding your way back to your own humanity.
What happened to you that made you forget you still have a choice, a choice to turn toward compassion, to make amends, and to begin again?
What happened to you that made you stop listening to your inner voice? If you allow yourself to hear it again, it will whisper: do better, be better. You can shift. You can grow. You can learn. There are consequences to your choices, but healing can still begin.
I’m sorry for what happened to you that led you to this moment. I close my eyes and wrap my arms around you in a long, healing hug, offering the love you’ve been missing, for yourself and for humanity.
As you begin to heal, may you also recognize that every person you encounter is someone’s child, worthy of dignity, safety, and care.
What happened to you?