This is such an important and hard question. I think my third line is something like this: "Ok. Do we believe that we can treat people any way we want to because they have broken a law? Does it matter to you what kind of law? /1
If you were driving your children around on an expired license, should the police be able to take you to jail and put your kids in foster care?
These questions matter because "illegal" does not solve the problem. Lots of things are illegal.
These questions matter because "illegal" does not solve the problem. Lots of things are illegal.
What we do after labeling conduct "illegal" is the essence of our justice system. We are having a really important conversation in this country right now about incarceration. There are people who have done crimes, but the punishment is too harsh.
We are setting that conversation back in a major way by declaring that the punishment of being separated from your children and detained is justified by the "illegal" nature of the immigration violation.
And, by the way, my friend who says "well it's illegal," does it seem right to you to punish people without a hearing? Sometimes coming in to our country is a legal request for asylum. Should we take people's children before their request has been heard?
Because in my view, our justice system hinges on assuming that people did NOT behave illegally until it has been conclusively established otherwise in a fair process before a judge.
And, my friend, have you ever needed something...really needed something from other people? Can you take that moment when you most needed help and try to imagine what might bring you America's border?
Can you imagine someone saying not only "no" in your moment of need, but also, "and you committed a crime punishable by detention and separation from your kids just for asking?"
Finally, I want to ask if we no longer want to be a shining city on a hill? Do you want people to stop wanting to come to America? Do you want the idea - fictionalized as it might be- of American exceptionalism to die? Do you want to be just another country?
Because that's what I think we are announcing. No room at our inn. No tired or poor or huddled masses yearning to breathe free. America is closed.
That's not ok with me. /end
That's not ok with me. /end
