Families all over the country are being torn apart and targeted, FOR NO REASON. In the matter of just a couple of months, I've heard of countless cases, in Connecticut alone, where undocumented parents have been ordered to leave the U.S. by ICE, Immigration and Custom Enforcement.
While the removal of undocumented people in the U.S has always been part of their job, they are supposed to be focusing on the deportations of people with criminal and fraudulent offenses. According to that link, ICE also has the option to remove someone based on the judgement of the officer and if they think the person is a danger to public safety. From what I've witnessed in Connecticut, that statement is being purely abused.
Mothers and fathers who have NO criminal records and who are law abiding are now put into priority for deportations. Miriam Martinez and her family have been victims of the abuse that ICE takes. What makes Miriam, the mother of two, a criminal? Why is she a threat to public safety? If your only claim is that "she has broken the law by simply being here undocumented" then please, try again. Mariano Cardoso Sr. is another victim. ICE officials told him that he had until November 17th to buy a plane ticket back to Mexico or he will be detained. According to the article, people argued that had he comes to the U.S legally, he wouldn't be in that situation. The worn out phrase of "come here legally" is also very outdated and if you're wondering why they can't just "get legal", refer to my article.
How is it fair to deport people like Miriam and Mariano? How is it fair to want to deport people who have created their whole lives here and came for the sole purpose of having a better and safer life for themselves and their families? Wouldn't YOU do whatever it takes for your family if you had to? Why is it suddenly the end of the world and a crime for people like Miriam and Mariano?
Others who are affected are those teens/adults who benefit and/or never benefited from DACA. They are teens/adults who have been brought to the U.S. at an early age and the U.S. is now their number one home. They are also people who DO NOT deserve deportation. They DO NOT deserve to live in fear when all they want to do is work, study, and live their lives peacefully. Many of them only have days left until their DACA expires. Those who are DACA-mented, never qualified for DACA, and allies are fighting for the Dream Act so that they can live their lives with no fear.
Deportations of people who do not deserve to be are very heartbreaking. It's causing unnecessary stress to many families, especially as the holidays are coming up and families are supposed to be united, not divided.
