Two weeks ago, Donald Trump held a rally in Arizona, where he announced his immigration plan. In typical “Trump fashion”, he started the speech by talking about “the wall.” Trump claimed that despite meeting with the Mexican President, he would still see to it that Mexico paid for the wall.
Donald Trump then went on to talk about a deportation force, possible punishments for people who are caught attempting to illegally cross our borders, etc. One point that stood out personally was the announcement that he would deport dreamers. For those of you who don’t know, dreamers are immigrants who were brought over illegally as children. In 2012, President Obama promised such individuals amnesty and the ability to live their lives in this country without fear of deportation. Trump wants to revoke this policy and deport such individuals. The only thing I have to say to that is: It’s not their fault.
Yes, crossing the border illegally is wrong just as any other criminal action is wrong, but these individuals didn’t have a say in whether or not they crossed the border legally. It was not their choice to leave their home country and journey to America. It was not their choice to break the law and come here illegally. They did not have a choice. How can you punish someone for a crime they committed when they were too young to know what was happening? When they were too young to even know it was a crime?
In addition, these individuals have formed lives for themselves here. It’s only rational to assume that they now have jobs, some form of an education, and possibly a family of their own. If you deport them, you take them away from the home they’ve known a majority of their lives. A home they’ve, for the most part, grown up in.
Moreover, think of the lives outside of these individuals who will be affected. What if a man was brought over illegally from Mexico at 4 years old. He worked hard, followed the laws, and now has a family of his own. Suddenly he is told that because he was brought over illegally at a young age, he has to go back to his home country. He has to leave behind his job, his home, possibly even his family. Imagine the emotional toll that would have not only on him, but on his children when their dad is taken from them. He would be punished for a choice he did not make. What if he was you?
I believe that to enforce this point of Trump’s immigration plan is both irrational and cruel. America prides itself on being a nation of justice and fairness. I ask you, how is it either to enforce such a harmful proposition? Donald Trump, it’s not their fault. They had no say. Please show some humanity towards these individuals and their families. It’s not just one person affected when you act on such potent ideals. The damage of following through on this promise will ruin the idea of America in the eyes of its citizens and the world.
