Thomas Bailey, 58, drove three hours from his ICE office in Oakdale to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment near Covington, Louisiana, and let himself in without her permission. She wasn’t home. He’s now sitting in St Tammany parish jail, charged with unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, facing up to six years and a $1,000 fine.
Sheriff Bret Ibert said the right thing: “Regardless of where you work or what position you hold, the law applies equally to everyone.” Fine words. Let’s see if they hold.
Here is what should enrage you. Bailey is not a rogue actor. He is a pattern. Since 2020, at least two dozen ICE employees and contractors have been charged with crimes including physical and sexual abuse, misuse of authority, and corruption. The Associated Press documented this in February. The agency’s own border chief, Tom Homan, went on CNN in July and said he doubted an ICE officer who fatally shot Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine, “should have ever cleared vetting.” Two of that officer’s ex-wives had publicly described abusive, violent, and threatening behavior. He was hired anyway. Given a badge anyway. Given a gun anyway.