Looking Bigotry In The Eye
By D. S. Mitchell
Concentration Camps
I’m watching “A.M. Joy”. The primary focus of the discussion this June 23rd, 2019 morning is the deplorable treatment of children in Trump’s concentration camps on our southern border. Where getting a bar of soap, a tube of toothpaste, a clean diaper, or a bath is not on the Border Patrol agenda, at least for the first month.
Cries In The Night
The cruelty and immorality of border separations and detainment should enrage us all. The images of children being ripped from their mother’s arms or the unanswered screams of, “papa” are alarming. The trauma of these events will affect these people the rest of their lives. People are suffering. People are also dying. Six children have died over the last year while in Border Patrol custody. At least twenty-two adult immigrants have died in ICE custody over the last 24 months.
Humble, Humiliate and Dehumanize
Numerous clips of recent court hearings are outrageous to watch. This is what the United States has come to. Watching a panel of Federal judges question a DOJ attorney during a recent hearing was illuminating. The Justice Department attorney made it abundantly clear that Trump & Associates intent is not to just imprison immigrants, but rather to humble, humiliate and dehumanize them.
According To Testimony
According to testimony, migrant adults and children are denied the most basic of subsistence items, including hygiene items, food, water and emergency health care while in U.S. government custody.
Neglect
During the same hearing witnesses described numerous sick children suffering with malnutrition, vomiting, fevers and diarrhea being left untreated in the care of other young children. In fact, the court was told of three children who were sent to the hospital for emergency treatment only after being visited and visualized by immigration advocates who demanded emergent care for the children.
Norwegian Internment
The abominable treatment of immigrants of color by the Trump administration highlights the unequal treatment directed at refugees presenting at the southern border and Caucasian undocumented migrants from Canada, Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia for instance. I’ll wager ICE is not targeting any of the Norwegians or Slovenians for the promised upcoming internment raids.
The Case Of Melania Knauss
Let’s take the case of Melania Knauss and her family. Numerous questions have come up over the years as to the legitimacy of Mrs. Trump’s citizenship. Despite the persistent questions Mrs. Trump refuses to release any of her immigration documents. Transparency could put all kinds of questions to rest. So, why not show them? What is Melania, and the president, hiding?
New Rules
While instituting unholy treatment of immigrants at the Mexican border Donald Trump has instituted new immigration rules. As of May 2019, immigration officials are required to prioritize the removal of any foreign national who has “engaged in fraud or willful misrepresentation in connection with any official matter or application before a government agency”. People are asking could Melania’s immigration documentation fail to meet the new “Trump test”?
IR-5 Versus Tourist
Furthermore, Melania’s parents Viktor and Amalija Knauss are apparently living here in the United States. The White House refuses to disclose what immigration classification the Knauss’ are using for residency. Here again no attempt at transparency. Possible immigration status would be according to a couple of sources; either 1) an extended tourist visa, since they seem to be mostly grand-parenting; or, 2) an IR-5 visa which is given to parents of adult U.S. citizens. Is this what Trump means by “chain migration”?
An Anti-Immigrant President
The hypocrisy of the situation in which our anti-immigrant president, who has had two immigrant wives and at least one set of “chain migration” parents (in-laws) is mind-boggling. Sadly it is also a toxic reminder that Trump’s immigration policy is nothing more than the formalization of white supremacy.
Let’s Call It What It Is
What we are seeing on our southern border is a direct result of Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy. Trump claims separation is a deterrent. From what we are seeing at the border that is a faulty presumption. Amnesty International calls Trump’s policies, “torture”, The American Academy of Pediatrics calls it “child abuse”. Ordinary American citizens are calling such policies, “heartless”.
History
Timothy Snyder, well-known historian said recently, “the system does not in fact defend itself, it depends upon ethics and conventions, and…these have to be named, defended, and exemplified”. In the end it seems that the average American citizen will need to step up and fight Trump’s policies at every turn by the only methods citizens have; phone calls and letters to our elected officials, protests marches, and the ballot box. Whether understood or not, 2020 will be a pivotal year. The future of democracy and human decency in America are in the cross hairs.
