Quote 1: "We need to take away children." -- Attorney General Jeff Sessions
Quote 2: "We have now heard of us taking breastfeeding defendant moms away from their infants." -- U.S. Government prosecutor
No matter ones belief on immigration policy - whether the U.S. should accept more immigrants per year or crackdown on undocumented immigration - the policy of child separation will go down (in my perspective) as a horribly immoral procedure. President Lincoln famously said, "The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation." Well, the spotlight will shine on ex-Attorney General Jeff Sessions for pushing this program along with the Trump administration officials who signed off on it and implemented it.
I know none of us are experts in immigration policy, but what are you views on how the U.S. should implement immigrant policy? Open boarders seems untenable, so there needs to be enforcement, but what should that look like in your eyes? Child separation is certainly off the table for me. I think refugees should be accepted though.
Personally, as a child of immigrant parents, when I see news of such harsh immigration tactics, I cannot help but feel a strong feeling of disgust and resentment towards the government. Our country prides itself on the ideals of liberty and diversity, yet we implement immigration policy that rips families apart and dehumanizes refugees that have already faced incredible amounts of trauma. In terms of how the U.S. should implement immigrant policy, I agree that open borders are unrealistic, but more government funding should go towards humane refugee camps and support. If our country wants to continue calling ourselves "great", we need to prove it through our policy and actions, which includes eliminating detainment and family separation, and the implementation and sustainment of fair trials when it comes to cases of immigration and documentation.
ReplyDeleteI liked your point about "government funding" to help refugees. To some degree, that means spending American tax payer money to support the stability of over countries. That's a tough sell to some degree, but we can't live in a bubble. Plus, we are "great", or at least a world leader, we gotta lead.
DeleteHearing about all of the cruel and inhumane things the immigration control has been accused of is super sad and angering. America is portrayed as being a safe haven for people of all kinds. Instead, of helping refugees and people trying to escape problems in their country, they lock them up and take their kids away. Obviously open borders would cause a mess and there should definitely be some sort of regulation/documentation of immigrants. However, there should be more of an effort from the government and more push from the public to ensure that there is humane treatment of refugees and NO child separation. Increased funds or assessment of the people working in immigration services should be mandatory as well as occasional overseeing of the programs/camps. America should be trying to work towards a prosperous and welcoming image by making immigration less of a traumatizing experience and more humane.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, the US has provided "temporary worker permits" (and to some degree still does) for foreign nationals to work in the U.S. I wonder if that policy needs to be sized up for the obvious reason that most immigrants come to the U.S. for economic job opportunities.
ReplyDeleteBack in 2018, I remember hearing large amounts of ICE programs which had begun to take immigrants who had lived in the U.S and deporting them back to their country. Even as those people had built a life in America and had done nothing wrong, the idea that they wanted to live a safe and happy life is the crime they had committed. Not only did it disgust and make me realize how cruel we could be, it gave me a sense of fear as my mother was not technically an American citizen. As Americans, we are all given the rights that should be granted to any human living anywhere, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. we exemplify this by ripping families apart and sending children to live in cages away from their parents. Even applying for an American citizenship is a horrible system. A north Korean defector once applied for an American citizenship, however after he realized it could take up to 16 months, he decided that he would take a ship to cape horn and hike his way all the way into Mexico and hopping the border between Mexico and America.
ReplyDeleteI believe that as a country we need to solve this problem. Taking children away from parents is a horrible crime and this should not be acceptable. The quote written at the bottom of the Statue of Liberty said, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" This seems like complete hypocrisy that as a nation we need to solve this issue. With everything going on in the world people are fleeing with their lives and want to have a future. Back then the statue of Liberty was a sign of freedom and now we are denying thousands of people basic rights. In fact the quote was actually changed by a white house official to alter the poem to defend not letting in migrants. Although we can't have an open border, there needs to be a system in which refugees can come to safety. At this point in time there are bigger concerns but people should have the right to seek shelter and create a better life for themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree that having completely open borders for our nation is unrealistic, but I think that the U.S. should have more well-considered and humane immigration policies. Child separation is truly terrible, and it is a tragic and horrifying reality of many families at the U.S. border. It is, like you said, immoral to separate children from their families, and it simply shouldn’t be done. The idea of being separated from my family alone makes me feel sick. I also feel that immigration benefits our nation, especially the economy, and so the government should be more welcoming to immigrants and encourage them to be positive contributors to our society and economy. Immigrants support our economy, pay taxes and promote the overall betterment of our country.
ReplyDeleteI've read numerous stories about children being separated from their parents. It angers be that the US can do that to families and not realize how that can break someones heart in an instant. I one hundred percent agree that child separation is a "horribly immoral procedure." However, i think open boarders wouldn't be the best idea, but rather a more organized and controlled way of letting people in to give them a shot at a good life.
ReplyDeleteI think in every and any culture across the globe, family and life is of great value. I agree with everyone that the US likely won't have the ability to open borders for everyone, but it's also tragic seeing family being separated apart. Many people see the US as a great country and come here to pursuit a better life, and in my opinion those who come all the way should be able to do that, but that is a privilege not everyone has. I think it will be very hard to come to agreements on the policies of immigration. Should we be more likely to accept those with a more valuable skill? Choose who to accept based on diversity? Based on one's misfortunes and current situation? It's a hard question to answer. But despite the differences individuals have, we all have one thing in common: we are all human. I hope that in the future human connections and the belief that we are one on this Earth will help make life better for everyone.
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