Since posting on death of a child in ICE custody I've seen several very disturbing comments and gotten disturbing DM's about how the US has no obligation to take care of "these people" because they are "breaking the law". There have been ruder thing but I will leave it at that..
So.. I thought I'd lay out some facts for folks to share if they get similar stupid, unethical, heartless, racists responses....First: IT IS NOT ILLEGAL TO SEEK ASYLUM! Lot of good info on asylum in US here americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/asylu…
Second--the US did sign on to The Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951) which lays out what we should do and not do----
Refugees shall be treated at least like nationals in relation to
-freedom to practice their religion (Article 4)
-the respect and protection of artistic rights and industrial property (Article 14)
-rationing (Article 20)
-freedom to practice their religion (Article 4)
-the respect and protection of artistic rights and industrial property (Article 14)
-rationing (Article 20)
-elementary education (Article 22)
-public relief and assistance (Article 23)
-labour legislation and social security (Article 24)
-public relief and assistance (Article 23)
-labour legislation and social security (Article 24)
The contracting states shall not:
impose penalties on refugees who entered illegally in search of asylum if they present themselves without delay (Article 31)
Forcibly return or refugees to the country they've fled from (Article 33)
impose penalties on refugees who entered illegally in search of asylum if they present themselves without delay (Article 31)
Forcibly return or refugees to the country they've fled from (Article 33)
Moreover-the US played a big role in drafting and signing the Convention of the Rights of the Child in 1995
It states that states must act in the best interests of a child, children have basic rights-including life, own identity, to be raised by their parents or cultural group
It states that states must act in the best interests of a child, children have basic rights-including life, own identity, to be raised by their parents or cultural group
Plus there are Guidelines for Protection and Care of Refugee Children INCLUDING NOT SEPARATING THEM FROM THEIR FAMILIES! Unaccompanied children are to BE CARED FOR! You can check it out here
unhcr.org/3b84c6c67.pdf
unhcr.org/3b84c6c67.pdf
It is shocking that these international laws are being broken by the US, one of the countries that was a LEADER IN ENSURING RIGHTS OF REFUGEES AND CHILDREN! How far we have fallen!
These International Laws were set to prevent abuse of people by repressive regimes. Now our government is breaking them. As Americans, with our values, we should never even question that these rights are self evident
For those of you who don't see that, who can't see the horror in allowing a child to die in ICE custody, separating families and then blaming a refugee...I pity you. Maybe those of you who claim to be Christians can discuss it in church tomorrow.
