#Immigration

Just in from Time Magazine – Congressional Republicans and some White House advisers are pushing President Donald Trump to halt the Administration’s policy of separating children and adults at the U.S. border while they keep looking for a political solution.

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she

With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

 

Statue of Liberty – In honor of the statute’s intent to welcome immigrants, the U.S. government opened an immigration office on nearby Ellis Island in 1892. Between 1892 and 1954, Lady Liberty welcomed millions of immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island before continuing their journey into the United States. In 1883, Emma Lazarus’ “New Colossus” sonnet was selected to be the inscription at the statue’s base. Lazarus won that honor as part of a fundraising contest. In keeping with its tradition, the Statue of Liberty remains a symbol of American freedom and democracy.

Definition – Immigration – the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country

Definition – Liberty – the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views.

Trump on Twitter  – “Separating families at the Border is the fault of bad legislation passed by the Democrats,” he tweeted. “Border Security laws should be changed but the Dems can’t get their act together! Started the Wall.”

President Barack Obama – helped assemble the lethal deportation machine that Trump is currently operating, forcibly expelling as many 2.5 million people, the cruelty of such a policy has no precedent.

Entry in the US – There are two means by which refugees can find haven in the United States: They can present themselves at an official port of entry, such as an airport or a highway checkpoint, or they can eschew these ports and enter the country on their own. (Although this method of entry is technically illegal, it has no bearing on their claims of asylum.)

As part of its “zero tolerance” policy, the Trump administration has elected to prosecute those who enter or re-enter the country illegally, even as their asylum claims are being processed.

Definition – Freedom – Isn’t free