Finally a post to this blog!
I decided today, instead of spending days on a post like I do for my other blog, I would throw what was on my mind out into the universe and hope someone can comprehend what I mean. Let’s see what happens.
Illegal immigration . . . It has been in the news since before President Trump was elected, even before he campaigned. Most recently, the outcry from people protesting the enforcement of the United States Federal Law regarding the separation of minors from their parents after crossing the border has been solely based–or seemingly so–on emotions.
I agree with many of these protesters that separating a young child from a parent is horrible both for the parent and the child. As a parent who wouldn’t let my children spend the night with other children until they were 12 years old, I would be alarmingly vociferous if I was forced to be separated from my children. But, if it could possibly bring me and my child a better life than the one I was fleeing, I would welcome this temporary separation.
For me, though–one who likes to follow rules–I would come through a designated point of entry into the US where I could seek immediate asylum or refugee status avoiding being separated from my children at all. That also would eliminate immediate deportation, but not having talked to any of the people crossing the border, I have no idea if following the law is easy or difficult.
(Asylum seekers must be fleeing their country because of a racial, religious or nationality type of persecution. If this is proven to not be the case, the person(s) cannot seek asylum.)
As people voice their opinions about this issue, I find it is a good idea to dig deeper than accepting the headlines stating the inhumanity of this separation. In doing so, I found and read an article on the website FAIR–Federation Article for American Immigration Reform, find here. The article lays out in easily understandable language what the law states concerning juveniles and criminal parents.
Federal law specifically prohibits the detention or confinement of juveniles in any institution in which the juvenile would have regular contact with adult persons convicted of a crime or awaiting trial on criminal charges. (18 US Code 5035 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/5035) From the case of Jenny Lisette Flores vs Janet Reno.
Again, I understand people wanting children to stay with their parents, but I can’t help but wonder if people understand a simple rule of living on this planet. If someone takes resources for themselves that leaves fewer resources for you or your neighbors. Therefore, illegal immigrants entering this country adding no tax revenue to our economy because they do not work here are taking from Americans, many of whom could use those resources–think about how much it must cost to house, supply medical care, feed, etc for these people. Illegal immigrants held at the border are costing Americans a lot financially.
The thing that always strikes me in cases of criminality whether a US citizen or not, is why do people often show a deep compassion for people breaking the law without understanding all the circumstances surrounding the law breaker? Why is the morality of following the laws of our land pushed aside and compassion for the criminal deemed a more justifiable position to hold? Course throw some emotion into a situation and people can lose their rational minds.
As of two weeks ago, President Trump issued an executive order ending this separation temporarily. Whether or not the laws in place regarding immigration need to be changed is another part of the conversation that would necessitate a much deeper investigation on my part. For now, though, the laws for illegal immigration seem clear to me, and I feel confident in saying that the illegal immigrants are fully aware they are breaking them.
There you have it. This is what I was thinking about today.
The Other Side of Nowhere 