As soon as early January, Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be carrying out a series of raids to deport hundreds of Central American families who hoped to get asylum in the U.S., but whose applications were denied by immigration courts.
As we get ready to begin a new year, this sends a disturbing and very sad message that, clearly, next year won’t be more compassionate than the previous one.
According to The Washington Post, which was the first publication to report DHS’ upcoming plans, this is the first “large-scale” effort against the mass migration of mostly women, children and youth from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras that was labeled a humanitarian crisis in 2014. In the past year, “More than 100,000 families with both adults and children have made the journey across the southwest border since last year, though this migration has largely been overshadowed by a related surge of unaccompanied minors,” the Post writes.
The ICE operation would target only adults and children who have already been ordered removed from the United States by an immigration judge, according to officials familiar with the undertaking, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because planning is ongoing and the operation has not been given final approval by DHS. The adults and children would be detained wherever they can be found and immediately deported. The number targeted is expected to be in the hundreds and possibly greater.
Several churches around the country, involved in the Sanctuary Movement, including Tucson’s Southside Presbyterian Church, announced on Friday that they are prepared to open their doors to any of these undocumented immigrants to avoid deportation and continue fighting their case. “As pastors we know that each and every family is a holy family,” Southside’s the Rev. Alison Harrington told Reuters. “We open our doors to today’s Josephs and Marys. … The gift we have to offer on Christmas Day is the gift of sanctuary.”
But the Los Angeles Times‘ Editorial Board says that, while they too share the same concerns for these children and women, the Obama Administration is doing the right thing.
Immigration rights advocates have begun rallying in opposition, arguing that it is inhumane for the government to send back to Central America—the source of many of these cases—people who have fled violence and crime-ridden neighborhoods for a chance at a better future for themselves and their children.
It’s hard to argue with that logic, but it is based on a flawed premise. To not deport those whom an immigration judge has ruled ineligible to remain in the country is to throw over any notion of enforceable immigration law. And that is an indefensible position.
The government has both the right and the responsibility to determine who gets to enter the country, and who gets to stay as legal residents.
Legally, that’s true.
But where is the moral responsibility of the U.S.? Central America is an area that’s been heavily influenced by this country both economically and politically—interventions that have played a role in the disturbing high numbers of people migrating from that region to American soil. (The book “Open Veins of Latin America” by Uruguayan author Eduardo Galeano may be helpful at this point.)
This article appears in Dec 24-30, 2015.
Let’s try to be a little more clear, historically. Joseph and Mary were not entering a country illegally. They were going to Bethlehem for a required census count. Because there was no room for them at the Inn they slept in a horse stable. Not asking or accepting financial aid, or job training skills. No food stamps, no welfare, and by the way, once their child was born they never mentioned anything about anchor baby rights.
Did they?
This is encouraging news to see the US Govt. actually follow through on an immigration law and remove people who illegally entered the country. I pray that the churches and radical immigration activists don’t win out on this one. The question I ask all these radicals who want these people to to remain in the US and encourage more to come, who do you want to foot the bill for keeping these people here?
This is truly a great belated Christmas present to all of us taxpayers who would like to see our money go to something sane and worthwhile. Hats off to the first two commenters. It’s not every day that we see that in the geekly.
This whole thing brings to mind one of my favorite Beatle songs. ” Get back. Get back. Get back to where you once belong”
Central and South America need the same lesson that would improve the lives of many other countries, including Mexico. Birth control. I lived in South America, the ” church” has twisted the minds of these uneducated people into believing birth control is a mortal sin. So, the problem continues, while the church takes money from these poor, povertey striken individuals and their country. The church says,”Have all the kids you want, go forth and multiply.” Sure, they aren’t taking the responsibility of feeding, educating nor raising them. They just molest them and cover it up.
U.S. immigration laws are enforced year round. The U.S. has the most generous immigration policy in the world, but we can’t take all of the billions of the world’s poor. More poor children are born every year than live in the U.S. today.
In comparison to the national security threat posed by the Obama Administration’s plan to resettle thousands of Muslim refugees in Arizona, these “illegal” Central American Immigrant Families are innocuous. The Presidents resettlement policy should be reversed; the Muslim Community closely monitored for possible complicity in any act of terrorism in this or other Countries.
Be careful I think this is a trick.
Francis Sagitta ignorantly comments that the illegals from central america are innocuous.
Central America is home to the most ruthless of criminals, raping 80% of the girls and women they transport through Mexico to the US. The thousands that invaded our border are heavily infiltrated with drug runners, extortionists, gang bangers, rapists, thieves and many that have absolutely no regard for human life.
Francis – you have any granddaughters?
What, Again: Esta una tonto ignorante…y…usted habla mierda siempre!! Pon su cabeza donde no esta brillando el sol, Por Favor
And Francis also deliberately ignores that these ‘families’ have already been adjudicated – they have been found by a judge to get their butts out of here.
Why do people (liberals) like Francis willingly accept criminals into our society? And she seems to think that writing in Spanish hides her hatefulness. Hey Francis, I was raised here. I know Spanish. Why to you hide behind it?
“The ICE operation would target only adults and children who have already been ordered removed from the United States by an immigration judge”
OK FOLKS you cannot have it both ways. The Republicans have spent years wanting this done. so SHUT up Republicans. These people have been thru the court system and was denied entry to the USA. I hope they add Ted Cruz Father, who continues to TRASH the USA since he as been here. He needs to be deported. He travels the nation being critical of a nation who has made him rich and live a comfortable life. DEPORT HIM>
How about Obama’s aunt while he’s at it? Any room on the camel for her?
Lest we not forget that Michelle Obama was critical of the country that made her first lady. And by the way, Bill Clinton is a convicted perjurer and not fit to be the First Man.
Is that how far we have slid?
Sadly David, the answer to your question is yes. We’d better pray that next November people don’t leave their brains at home when they vote. If Lady Pantsuits gets elected, it’s all over but the shouting. Saw a great bumper sticker the other day. It said something to the effect that Obama put America in the toilet. Elect Hillary and she’ll flush it.
It is hard for me to believe that after the mess she made as Sec of State that anybody would vote for her as President. Can you imagine the mess she will make out of foreign affairs? She and Bill will extort money from every country for their foundation and then give them a US taxpayer rebate check as a thank you for the contribution.
Francis Saitta,
Please remember that more than a few of us understand your use of inappropriate language in your last comment. Please be more considerate in your choice of words.
Trump 2016 ladies, gentlemen and liberal-socialists.
Either we have a nation, or we don’t.
A nation without borders is not a nation.
This video will open your mind, unless you are in a cult.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPjzfGChGlE
Bisbee boy: Yo stoy Hispanohablente en mi carazon. Cuando “What, Again” tiene falta de respeto para Hispanohablentes, el tiene falta de respeto para mi tambien.
Ms. Saitta, What part of illegal escapes you?
And just like I said above this is a truck. By New Years Day you will read that the POTUS announce new work visas putting many more Americans out of work. Don’t let this fool fool you.
Go home and make your country better. Quit trying to use asylum as an excuse for laziness.
Mr. Saitta,
I too am a Spanish speaker, but in my heart I am an American. As an American of Latin ancestor, I was not/am not offended by someone speaking from an uninformed/misinformed/partially-informed perspective. You and I as Hispanics can help inform people, but only in a proper and polite manner.
However, I fully agree with you that “What Again’s” comments were generalized exaggerations, but he is simply repeating what one can find in some press reports.
Over the last 30 years, I have spent a good deal of time working in Central America and found the people there to be good folks, for most part. That being said, I only want those in the US of A from Central America or any other country, for that matter, who are here legally.
Thank you “Bisbee boy” for your thoughtful comments. With all due respect, I do not agree. “What, again” is a racist/bigot. His comments should be rejected in language that is stark and unequivocal. They represents the complete lack of understanding of the nature of Human Society; our mutual dependence and the requirement for us to render assistance to others when assistance is necessary!
Comrade Saitta,
The words racist and bigot have no power any more, those cards are as worthless as the person who attempts use them to silence others.
Race is not a social construct, for someone who claims to have a Biology degree, you sure like to inject your beliefs, feels and politics into a hard science.
Tell me Comrade Saitta, how is it that bone marrow recipients require marrow from someone of their own race? I didn’t make that medical qualification up.
George Carlin taught me about thought and word police like you a long, long time ago.