As numerous articles have detailed, the situation at the border is so harmful that it needs to be stopped. Right now. Not in 2020, when we will probably take back the White House and hopefully the Senate. People are dying because they sought asylum. We cannot wait any longer.
To briefly review (please share these facts and links for any who have questions!):
- Seeking asylum in the closest safe country is LEGAL by US and international law. People risk everything to escape violence and death in their countries of origin, so anything legal we do to them will not deter them. Reports state that 60-80% of women and girls are raped along the way. There have been tens of thousands of kidnappings for ransom. No one knows exactly how many die along the way. Probably tens of thousands more.
- Adult asylum seekers are packed like sardines in US concentration cages for weeks in filthy conditions, spreading disease, “standing on toilets in the cells to make room and gain breathing space”.
- There is no need to hold anyone! Just provide them an attorney. Without an attorney, they may miss some hearings due to miscommunication, although approximately 85% manage. With an attorney, nearly 100% attend all their required hearings. If you still think we should not trust asylum seekers, require ankle bracelets.
- Despite a court order and some family reunifications, likely thousands of children continue to be separated from their parents.
- Conditions in child concentration cages include overcrowding and being held for far longer than stated policy, trying to sleep in the cold on concrete whilst the lights are on all night, with no beds, no diapers, no soap, no toothpaste, no toothbrushes, lousy food, sugary drinks. Also lice, the flu, other diseases sure to come in such stressful conditions. Since there are no caring adults, children are trying their best to take care of babies.
- Ripping children away is also completely unnecessary! They usually either enter the country with family or come here to meet up with family who want to care for them. The rest can be provided foster care.
- Supplies are well within affordability for all these facilities. The cruelty — and profits at the expense of the children — is the point! We pay $775 per person per day for this. It used to be about $150.
- Result: Permanent damage to their physical and mental health, for no good reason. Note also that former American captives of the Taliban and pirates have said they were treated better than we are treating these children! Billions of our tax dollars are paying for this. Read the sorts of mental problems we are creating for these children in ohamaker’s excellent diary. Take tissues.
- So far, 6 children have died in CBP custody, as far as we know. Others have likely died and have been covered up. Say their names: Darlyn, 10; Jaakelin, 7; Felipe, 8; Juan, 16; Wilmer, 2; Carlos, 16. Their photos and stories are at the link. Below is one of many. They will break your heart.
The facts are difficult to face. But we can’t let our compassion drain us of energy. #DontLookAway! Instead, resolve to do everything you can to change public policy.