Bucks Coach Doc Rivers Condemns ICE Actions: ‘Not Morally Right’
In a bold statement on February 1, 2025, Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reiterated his condemnation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. This was prior to his team’s game against the Boston Celtics. Rivers has been vocal against ICE’s tactics, especially following the controversial killing of U.S. citizen Renée Nicole Macklin Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2025. His comments have sparked significant conversation on the morality of ICE’s practices.
ICE Actions Under Fire
Doc Rivers labeled the fatal shooting of Macklin Good as “straight-up murder” just two days after the incident. When asked about his stance, he affirmed, “I don’t change that at all.” Rivers elaborated on the poor training of ICE agents. He highlighted the disparity in treatment based on ethnicity. Rivers pointed out that undocumented individuals are more frequently targeted, particularly in states like Minnesota and Texas, which have large undocumented populations.
Concerns for the Community
Rivers expressed concerns regarding the safety of brown individuals in America under current ICE policies. “Yeah. Yeah. We all should be,” he said when asked if people should feel apprehensive about ICE’s actions. He referred to comments made by Tom Homan, ICE’s executive associate director, indicating that targeting individuals based on their appearance is a known practice.
- Renée Nicole Macklin Good: Shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2025
- Alex Pretti: Fatally shot by a border patrol agent on January 24, 2025
- Minneapolis Protests: Related to government activity, leading to Pretti’s death
Rivers criticized the fact that individuals of various ethnicities are treated differently under ICE enforcement. This, he argued, does not contribute to a safer environment for anyone. He pointed out the lack of ICE actions in other communities, such as areas predominantly populated by Ukrainians.
Legal Implications of ICE Practices
The discourse around ICE practices gained additional weight after a Supreme Court ruling on September 8, 2025. In a 6-3 decision in the case of Noem v. Vasquez-Perdomo, the Court authorized immigration officers to interrogate individuals believed to be aliens regarding their immigration status.
Amidst these troubling developments, Rivers remains steadfast in his belief that current operations are not morally justified. His commitment to advocating for change and justice underlines a critical perspective on the actions of ICE in contemporary America.
