The retail lobby’s selling us out to DHS

Manhattan: Re “Organized retail crime can be stopped” (op-ed, Aug. 8): A coordinated effort from the retail lobby across the country and in New York openly advocates for the Combatting Organized Retail Theft Act, or CORCA. While organized retail theft is a problem, the solution shouldn’t require the retail lobby to sell out Americans to DHS and ICE.

While CORCA claims to address a legitimate concern, the bill does little to prevent or reduce shoplifting or cargo theft. It would significantly expand DHS’ authority to collect, analyze and share personal data of U.S. citizens, providing few meaningful civil liberties safeguards and limited accountability. The person who decides which data gets shared with DHS will be handpicked by the director of ICE. This comes at a time when ICE, with its masked agents, continues to be responsible for unimaginable tragedies. Supporters ask Americans to trust them that DHS won’t use this vast trove of data for harm. I know I speak for many New Yorkers when I say: We will not simply trust them.

Knowing that the bill is indefensible on its merits, the retail lobby is urging Congress to sneak it into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a must-pass legislative package. A broad coalition of more than 130 civil rights, criminal justice reform and immigration groups are asking lawmakers to reject CORCA. Now it’s up to Democrats in the Senate to do so.

Selden, L.I.: What’s happening to Puerto Rico is a shame. “La isla del encanto” — Luma Energy is leaving half the island without any lights. Then there is scarcity of water. Meanwhile,........

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