Yesterday, in over 750 cities across the United States, along with several cities with American populations around the world, hundreds of thousands of people joined together for marches, sit-ins, and speeches regarding the 45th President's administration's immigration policies, including the so-called "zero tolerance" policy that lead to the separation of migrant parents and children. The Families Belong Together March was organized by dozens of activist organizations, led by Move On, the Leadership Conference, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Domestic Workers Alliance.
"It's horrible what they are doing to these families," said Gary Lasley, a resident of Pasadena, who was protesting at the Los Angeles City Hall. "It's terrorism. It's the worst thing to happen since the Japanese interment."
More than 2,300 children have been separated, by order of the President, from their parents and guardians as they enter the United States. Less than 300 have been re-united with their families since a court ordered the US government to do so. And the government is making unaccompanied 3-year-old toddlers appear in court to face deportation... What the heck is happening in "the land of the free and the home of the brave"? Apparently, we are declaring war on children who are seeking asylum.
Tyler Houlton, a spokesman for the US Department of Homeland Security, says he welcomes interest in the immigration system, but that only the US Congress has the power to change the law. "We appreciate that these individuals have expressed an interest in, and concern with, the critical issue of securing our nation's borders, and in enforcing our immigration laws. As we have indicated before, the department is disappointed and frustrated by our nation's disastrous immigration laws and it supports action."
Immigrant advocacy groups say they are thrilled - and surprised - to see the issue is gaining traction among people who are not usually involved with immigration issues.
"Honestly, I am blown away. I have literally never seen Americans show up for immigrants like this," said Jess Morales Rocketto, political director at the National Domestic Workers Alliance. "We just keep hearing, over and over, if it was my child, I would want someone to do something." The National Domestic Workers Alliance represents nannies, housekeepers and caregivers, many of whom are immigrants.
And, as I wrote a few days ago - unless you are a full-blooded Native American tribal member, you are a descendant of immigrants to the United States of America.
The current President is the son of a Scots immigrant, and the grandson of two Bavarian German immigrants. Two of his three wives are immigrants.... So why is he so adamant that we turn back all comers (except those with money to invest in his schemes) to this once-great country?
"It's horrible what they are doing to these families," said Gary Lasley, a resident of Pasadena, who was protesting at the Los Angeles City Hall. "It's terrorism. It's the worst thing to happen since the Japanese interment."
More than 2,300 children have been separated, by order of the President, from their parents and guardians as they enter the United States. Less than 300 have been re-united with their families since a court ordered the US government to do so. And the government is making unaccompanied 3-year-old toddlers appear in court to face deportation... What the heck is happening in "the land of the free and the home of the brave"? Apparently, we are declaring war on children who are seeking asylum.
Tyler Houlton, a spokesman for the US Department of Homeland Security, says he welcomes interest in the immigration system, but that only the US Congress has the power to change the law. "We appreciate that these individuals have expressed an interest in, and concern with, the critical issue of securing our nation's borders, and in enforcing our immigration laws. As we have indicated before, the department is disappointed and frustrated by our nation's disastrous immigration laws and it supports action."
Immigrant advocacy groups say they are thrilled - and surprised - to see the issue is gaining traction among people who are not usually involved with immigration issues.
"Honestly, I am blown away. I have literally never seen Americans show up for immigrants like this," said Jess Morales Rocketto, political director at the National Domestic Workers Alliance. "We just keep hearing, over and over, if it was my child, I would want someone to do something." The National Domestic Workers Alliance represents nannies, housekeepers and caregivers, many of whom are immigrants.
And, as I wrote a few days ago - unless you are a full-blooded Native American tribal member, you are a descendant of immigrants to the United States of America.
The current President is the son of a Scots immigrant, and the grandson of two Bavarian German immigrants. Two of his three wives are immigrants.... So why is he so adamant that we turn back all comers (except those with money to invest in his schemes) to this once-great country?
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