Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Susan Wright on the Right

Home
Politics and Religion
Splitting Families up at the Border Sends the Wrong Message

Splitting Families up at the Border Sends the Wrong Message

Last updated on: May 27, 2018 at 5:14 pm by Susan Wright

Splitting Families up at the Border Sends the Wrong Message 2018-05-27T17:14:40-04:00 Susan Wright

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When it comes to illegal immigration and families attempting to cross the nation’s southern border, there’s a real problem. No one is denying that.

There is, however, a disconnect, when it comes to determining the best course of action to be taken, in regards to a workable, rational U.S. policy on the issue.

And let’s be perfectly clear, here. Talk of a wall sounds good on the campaign trail and as red meat for a rabid rally crowd, but it’s not policy. It’s not something that can be implemented as a security measure right now.

It’s just talk, and were it to be any real solution, it’s still years away. We need something in the immediate to solve a right-now problem.

Part of that right-now problem has to do with children being brought across the border.

The Department of Homeland Security and the White House have pointed out loopholes in the 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. They believe what they call “catch and release loopholes” are responsible for encouraging immigrants to risk an illegal crossing.

The Trump administration has a policy. Many of us just aren’t sure if it’s the right policy.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said earlier this month, “if you cross the border unlawfully … we will prosecute you,” adding, “If you’re smuggling a child, then we’re going to prosecute you, and that child will be separated from you, probably, as required by law. If you don’t want your child separated, then don’t bring them across the border illegally.”

Harsh.

I’ve seen plenty across social media celebrating this hardline stance that threatens to take children away from their parents at the border.

That needs to stop.

First of all, it’s not the fault of the children. They have no say in what their parents do, and are forced to go wherever their parents or guardians lead them. Should they be made to suffer? They’re likely already disoriented and afraid.

On the other hand, however, who should be blamed for it? The parents choose to subject their child to the dangerous conditions of a desert crossing, and then bring them along, as they attempt to violate the laws of a sovereign nation.

Where do you draw the line?

As Sessions said, if you don’t want your child separated, then don’t bring them across the border illegally.

That is the part that seems to make sense, but is that compassion? Is that the best we can do?

It’s still punishing the children for their parents’ crime.

This one isn’t easy.

We need a cooler head, a voice of reason to step in, here.

Enter Florida Senator Marco Rubio.

While appearing on the Sunday morning news talk shows, Senator Rubio attempted to walk the center of the aisle, agreeing with his Democrat peers that separating families should be a no-can-do for us, as a nation, while also agreeing with his fellow Republicans about the need to move immigrants denied asylum swiftly back to their nation of origin.

“We have a problem and it needs to be dealt with. The ideal scenario is that families be kept together and returned expeditiously back to their country of origin,” Rubio told CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

“I would be open to changing that law but the better law to change is to secure our border and to send a clear message that you cannot continue to enter the United States illegally. It is actually inhumane not to secure our border because we are sending out a message that is encouraging people to come here. We have to understand a lot of these people that are crossing children are being trafficked here,” he added.

He makes a good point.

Sometimes, it’s not just parents who are bringing their children, but predators bringing their victims. Stopping them, getting those kids to safety should also be a priority.

If Republicans want to lead on this issue, they’re going to have to take off the MAGA hats and operate with compassion. Children should not be used as pawns in political games.

Kudos to Senator Rubio. Let’s hope the appropriate people are listening.

Uncategorized

Department of Homeland Security

illegal immigration

Mexico

Previous Post

May 27, 2018

FBI to Investigate Houston Abortion Doc Accused of Murdering Newborns

Next Post

May 28, 2018 What Conflicts? Ivanka Trump Scores New Foreign Trademarks for Her Brand

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month December 2021 November 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz