Things immigration lawyers and advocates wish people knew about the man-made crisis at the border:
1. Family separation is only new as a blanket policy. It's a twisted form of family detention, which should be called family incarceration.
Family incarceration...and including those of "tender age" is not new. It's been going on.
Family incarceration...and including those of "tender age" is not new. It's been going on.
2. No, people in removal proceedings don't get lawyers if they can't afford one, which they usually can't.
Criminal defendants actually get more rights, even if they're not citizens, than people in removal proceedings.
Criminal defendants actually get more rights, even if they're not citizens, than people in removal proceedings.
3. ICE does not care about ripping up families. They've been doing it for years.
They're not going to enforce any law that helps a non-citizen.
They're not going to turn over records without a fight.
They thrive on shock value.
They're not going to enforce any law that helps a non-citizen.
They're not going to turn over records without a fight.
They thrive on shock value.
4. Everyone wants to help and that's great. Please take your cues from the experts on the ground who've been representing people for years.
There are no simple solutions. Fires can be put out, but there will be more fires.
There are no simple solutions. Fires can be put out, but there will be more fires.
5. It is a man-made crisis. A new system that actually respects due process, and gives people ways to come in and out, would actually resolve much.
A prevailing false narrative of immigrant invading hordes, unfortunately, prevents this from happening.
A prevailing false narrative of immigrant invading hordes, unfortunately, prevents this from happening.
6. It's not just about reuniting kids with parents.
Once that's done, the country may pat itself on the back.
Meanwhile, the parent and kid still face deportation. And the rules are getting tougher, and it's harder to win.
These families and more may wind up deported to death.
Once that's done, the country may pat itself on the back.
Meanwhile, the parent and kid still face deportation. And the rules are getting tougher, and it's harder to win.
These families and more may wind up deported to death.
7. We wish people would remember we need comprehensive immigration reform.
And we don't want the anti-immigrant movement to have any part in crafting it, be sure they're only interested in building a lean, mean, deporting machine.
And we don't want the anti-immigrant movement to have any part in crafting it, be sure they're only interested in building a lean, mean, deporting machine.
8. There isn't always a way to enter legally. Even if there is, CBP makes it difficult or impossible.
And what's legal isn't always what's right, or what the people want, or what the country needs.
And what's legal isn't always what's right, or what the people want, or what the country needs.
9. We are demanding the human right to seek asylum be protected and honored, not gutted and abused.
But even the rest of the process is full of hurdles, and this administration is placing more and more in the way.
We have to stop criminalizing asylum.
But even the rest of the process is full of hurdles, and this administration is placing more and more in the way.
We have to stop criminalizing asylum.
10. Lastly, please, people. Help, but take advice from experts. Asylum seekers are vulnerable people. That they're so politicized makes them more vulnerable still.
There is a lot that can go wrong even with the best of intentions.
There is a lot that can go wrong even with the best of intentions.
