I meet many, many, many people in the course of a week who are 100% disabled military, yet are holding full time jobs, have “VA owned” side businesses, and are enjoying tax-exempt property tax status along with favorable tax status for their business.
As a retired physical therapist, even folks in sip-and-puff power wheelchairs took pride in continuing to contribute in a meaningful way to their local communities and their country. Think Steven Hawking to put aside your excuses.
Here’s my proposal:
Disabled military members should be utilized to free up ICE personnel to round up illegals. ICE officers are more thoroughly trained in the legal and tactical issues, and we need them in the field.
Disabled military members who are physically fit can assist in processing paperwork and guarding detainees until they are ready to be moved.
As a thank you for this service, they will retain their 100% disabled pension and property tax exemption.
If an otherwise qualified disabled veteran would rather take a pass, then he forfeits the property tax exemption especially since he is drawing not just his pension but is usually working another full time job or running a business.
This is a win/win. The member who chooses to assist ICE in this important work can gain a sense of fulfillment in contributing to the country’s success. The local school districts also win. With so many people moving to retirement-friendly areas and then claiming full exemption to property taxes which fund the school district and municipality, we’re setting up for an implosion. As the percentage increases of homeowners in an area that are tax-exempt, the burden increases on the municipality and schools to, effectively, do more with less while residents continue an expectation of a certain level of services.
I’m a strong believer in limited federal government. This would be a time restricted policy with a sunset clause. Determining the sunset date may need to wait until the new administration has a better idea of the real numbers that ICE is facing. In any event, the sunset date can be set no later than 100 days into the new administration.
I’m interested in using the talent that exists among the patriots in this country to get this very important, urgent task completed. Constructive, real feedback is appreciated.
UPDATE TO THIS POST 11/28/2024
With the state of Texas announcing that it will revise their bussing policy and rather than send illegals to sanctuary cities, they will send them directly to ICE detention facilities, I believe this policy is now even more workable than before.
With Texas having the largest veteran population of any state (1,543,160 in 2023) if even 10% of these opt for service as processors and supervisors of detainees to allow ICE agents to round up and transport, it will be a huge boost to ICE and its capabilities.