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#EndFamilySeparation
Letter sent to Jason Lewis, June 2 2018.
I didn't think it possible, but in recent weeks Donald Trump, the most corrupt individual to occupy the presidency, has hit a new low.
As I'm sure you're aware, it is now official federal policy to separate immigrant children from their parents when crossing the border, even when those immigrants are --- legally --- seeking asylum in the U.S. Sadly, Mirian's story is all too typical:
So why are you silent now?
This barbaric family-separation policy is the result of a new, 'zero-tolerance' policy on immigration which Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced on May 8. This policy has been a betrayal of American values in other ways, such as processing dozens of immigration cases at a time through kangaroo courts. And Trump has engineered these abhorrent policies for one reason only: to try to force Democrats to agree to build his stupid and expensive wall on the Mexican border.
These policies are immoral and inhumane for any reason, but it is particularly repulsive that our president is visiting these injustices on vulnerable families simply to use them as a bargaining chip.
I know that, like the rest of your caucus, you have been only too happy to turn a blind eye to Donald Trump's brazen and repeated violations of norms, laws and the Constitution. I'm asking you once again to consult your conscience and use your position as a member of Congress to oppose these authoritarian policies as strongly as possible.
UPDATE: Here is Jason's wholly bloodless and inadequate response. Note in particular the passive voice here: "With such a large number of families attempting to illegally cross the border, many children are placed in the unfortunate situation where they are separated from their parents. Those seeking asylum can avoid family separation by presenting themselves at a legal border crossing." The first sentence completely dismisses the fact that this is a calculated policy choice that Donald Trump made, using immigrant families as pawns in an attempt to force Democrats to agree to his border wall.
The second sentence is an outright lie, as immigration agents are separating ALL undocumented families, whether they apply for asylum or not.
The Trump policy of family separation is essentially a war crime. And Jason Lewis is complicit.
I didn't think it possible, but in recent weeks Donald Trump, the most corrupt individual to occupy the presidency, has hit a new low.
As I'm sure you're aware, it is now official federal policy to separate immigrant children from their parents when crossing the border, even when those immigrants are --- legally --- seeking asylum in the U.S. Sadly, Mirian's story is all too typical:
Fleeing government violence in Honduras, Mirian came to the U.S. with her young son on Feb. 20, 2018, presenting herself to immigration authorities and asking for asylum. During her interview, Mirian gave the immigration officers her Honduran ID card and several identification documents for her child, including his birth certificate and his hospital birth record, both of which list her as his mother.
However, once the interview was over, the officers said that they were going to take her son away from her. She repeatedly asked why they couldn’t stay together, but she was not given a reason. The officers then made her carry her 18-month-old child outside where a government car was waiting. As she placed him in the car seat, he began to cry. Without giving her a moment to comfort him or say goodbye, the officers shut the door and drove away.I'm sure I don't have to tell you that this is unacceptable. As a father of two daughters yourself, I'm sure you would do all in your power to end such a tyrannical government policy if your daughters had been taken from you.
So why are you silent now?
This barbaric family-separation policy is the result of a new, 'zero-tolerance' policy on immigration which Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced on May 8. This policy has been a betrayal of American values in other ways, such as processing dozens of immigration cases at a time through kangaroo courts. And Trump has engineered these abhorrent policies for one reason only: to try to force Democrats to agree to build his stupid and expensive wall on the Mexican border.
Put pressure on the Democrats to end the horrible law that separates children from there parents once they cross the Border into the U.S. Catch and Release, Lottery and Chain must also go with it and we MUST continue building the WALL! DEMOCRATS ARE PROTECTING MS-13 THUGS.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2018
I know that, like the rest of your caucus, you have been only too happy to turn a blind eye to Donald Trump's brazen and repeated violations of norms, laws and the Constitution. I'm asking you once again to consult your conscience and use your position as a member of Congress to oppose these authoritarian policies as strongly as possible.
UPDATE: Here is Jason's wholly bloodless and inadequate response. Note in particular the passive voice here: "With such a large number of families attempting to illegally cross the border, many children are placed in the unfortunate situation where they are separated from their parents. Those seeking asylum can avoid family separation by presenting themselves at a legal border crossing." The first sentence completely dismisses the fact that this is a calculated policy choice that Donald Trump made, using immigrant families as pawns in an attempt to force Democrats to agree to his border wall.
The second sentence is an outright lie, as immigration agents are separating ALL undocumented families, whether they apply for asylum or not.
The Trump policy of family separation is essentially a war crime. And Jason Lewis is complicit.
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