Keep pressure on lawless ICE agents

Many of us are sickened by the ongoing inhumane treatment of immigrants and others by ICE.

Every day, there are headlines about ICE’s violent treatment of innocent people. Anyone who still believes these assaults are directed toward criminals is choosing to remain ignorant. There’s overwhelming evidence that ICE routinely detains people solely due to the color of their skin, and without warrants. The trauma and destruction caused by these unconstitutional detainments include deaths, sexual abuse and neglect in ICE custody; denial of due process rights; the disappearances of hundreds after the closure of “Alligator Alcatraz;” and assaults on peaceful protesters.

As a Catholic, I note that Pope Leo XIV stated that being “pro-life” should include opposition to the inhumane treatment of immigrants. The pope called for reflection on the treatment of detained migrants. It’s imperative that people of goodwill do everything we can to stop ICE’s aggressive and criminal behavior.

— Laura Murray, Santa Cruz

DOJ won’t prosecute MAGA lawbreakers

Re: “Justice demands prosecuting fake electors” (Page A7, Nov. 21). In his column, Mark Barabak quotes Derek Muller, a Notre Dame law professor (and a longtime member of the Federalist Society, the judicial arm of the anti-democracy MAGA movement).

Regarding fake electors, Muller suggests that “the ballot box — rather than a courtroom — may be the better venue to litigate the matter.” Apparently, Muller attended the “Alice In Wonderland Law School” where he undoubtedly received an A+ in circular logic.

It is against the law to overturn the outcome of a presidential election; it is idiotic to say that when a bunch of MAGA criminals break election laws, we should rely on another election, instead of prosecuting MAGA criminals to the full extent of the law. No wonder people distrust lawyers — especially when they promote excusing law-breaking instead of prosecuting the lawbreakers.

— Bill Charleston, Campbell

Cricket field critics fear the unknown

Re: “Neighbors up in arms over cricket field plans” (Page B1, Nov. 22).It was shocking to read that a few neighbors are opposed to having a cricket field in the proposed Palm Avenue Community Park in Fremont.

The main fear is that flying cricket balls could injure a person or damage homes or cars.

Do baseballs ever fly out of the field and cause personal injury? Balls flying over to the street or neighborhood will be rare and can easily be prevented in the design and construction of the stadium. It is more likely the fear of the unknown. People here are not familiar with cricket. Both baseball and cricket trace their origins back to medieval European bat-and-ball games and are more like “cousins.” Cricket fields all over the world are in the middle of cities and residential neighborhoods, and they are safe.

— Subru Bhat, Union City

Victory more important than female president

Re: “How long until we elect a female president” (Page A7, Nov. 20). A half-page column in the Mercury News asks, “How long until we elect a female president?” The author finds it “kind of depressing” that this January, the country will have reached “the historic moment when 28% of its governors are female.” I’m old enough to be impressed, not depressed, by this statistic.

More importantly, I implore Democrats to focus on the much more important goal of defeating the Republicans in 2028. In both 2016 and 2024, we elected Donald Trump over much more experienced women, who believed in the rule of law and our democracy. While I volunteered for the Kamala Harris campaign in 2024, our country is simply not yet ready for a woman leader, as more enlightened countries such as India, Pakistan, Germany, Israel and Great Britain have shown themselves to be.

— Peter Ross, San Jose

SJ must make sure progress includes all

As an African American student at Evergreen Valley College, I see our community’s future being priced out. Many of us, especially from Black and brown neighborhoods, are watching our families get squeezed by rising rents while new tech jobs pour in. This isn’t just about buildings; it’s about people.

We need the city to ensure that new corporate growth directly funds affordable housing and protects tenants from unfair rent hikes and evictions. We can’t create a vibrant San Jose if the people who make it diverse and strong themselves can’t even afford to stay here. Let’s make sure progress includes everyone.

— Demari Agbulos, San Jose