I want to focus on family reunification without the emotion and horror that marks the policy that gets us to this moment. According to HHS Secretary, reunification is easy so I'll take his word for it (it's true). 1/ nypost.com/2018/06/26/hhs…
So it should be easier than what we are seeing. And so none of this makes sense. So here's a thought exercise: if you had to deal with a family reunification crisis, whatever the circumstances that got us to this moment, what conditions would you want to make it easier. 2/
In other words, in the history of horrors we have encountered in security -- terror, earthquakes, hurricanes, war, tsunamis, etc. -- and that have considerable challenges for family reunification, what is the "best case scenario" in the worst of situations. Here's a list: 3/
1. A limited pool of "victims": in this case, the families. Now the number may be anywhere in the 3-4K range, but there's a number (compare tsunami) that is at very least workable.
2. The "pool" isn't getting bigger: we believe that the separations have ended in large part. 4/
2. The "pool" isn't getting bigger: we believe that the separations have ended in large part. 4/
3. Known number of places where the victims are: known sites/jails/etc
4. The population is contained/detained: compare mass migration
5. Working infrastructure: compare Thailand after tsunami
6. Working electricity: compare Haiti
7. Working mobility/transporation modes 5/
4. The population is contained/detained: compare mass migration
5. Working infrastructure: compare Thailand after tsunami
6. Working electricity: compare Haiti
7. Working mobility/transporation modes 5/
8. Access to translators
9. Access to cameras/photos (parents can identify first)
10. Access to communication/working communication
11. Professional experts who have dealt with this before: rigorous incident command structure
6/
9. Access to cameras/photos (parents can identify first)
10. Access to communication/working communication
11. Professional experts who have dealt with this before: rigorous incident command structure
6/
12. Volunteers ready to help (i.e. Red Cross)
13. No outside forces hindering effective operations: another hurricane, continuing war, etc.
14. A pool eager to be reunited
15. Access to biometric tools to ease identification
7/
13. No outside forces hindering effective operations: another hurricane, continuing war, etc.
14. A pool eager to be reunited
15. Access to biometric tools to ease identification
7/
I just listed 15 "ideal" conditions that we actually have working in our favor here. And that took me five minutes. And yet, still, nothing resembling a plan to unify these kids (a fact noted by the district court ruling last night). 8/
Incompetence. Likely
Lack of will. Surely (at least at the top)
Inexcusable. Indeed.
Unforgivable. Yes.
Lack of will. Surely (at least at the top)
Inexcusable. Indeed.
Unforgivable. Yes.
