Another day, another meme or video rant. Today the memes and videos compare American criminals to illegal immigrants. The claim is that criminals who go to jail are separated from their children so why should it be different for illegals who are breaking the law. Throw in some mature name calling like "liberal" "snowflake" "cry baby" and you got yourself the popular memes and video rants making their way through social media.
Think before you share folks.
FACT: Immigrants seeking asylum are not breaking the law. In fact they are following international protocol and US law.
President Truman's Message on Refugees
Displaced Persons Act of 1948
Refugee Act of 1979
FACT: Illegal border crossing is considered a federal misdemeanor. You know what else is a federal misdemeanor, let me list a few.
List of crimes considered Federal Misdemeanors
US Code Title 18 Part II Chapter 227
I'm sure we all know someone who has committed a federal misdemeanor - did they get put into prison before a fair trial? Oh, speaking of trials... did you know the United States Judicial Branch... you know the ones with courts and lawyers and such... they do not preside over immigrant court hearings. Nope. Not their jurisdiction. The Department of Justice, which falls under the Executive Branch, manages the immigration court system.
The head of the Justice Department, Jeff Sessions, has pressured immigration court judges into expediting the process. In his words, "make it more efficient." Sessions sent a memo to immigration judges this April saying "efficiency would now factor in their performance reviews." According to Sessions, "immigration courts are gummed up by frivolous asylum claims" and sabotaged by "dirty immigration lawyers" who try to sneak their clients into legal status they don't deserve.
Read about it here
Apparently April was a busy month for Sessions. He has also tried cancelling a legal orientation program. The program offered workshops to immigrants in detention centers - explaining to them how court hearings worked and what options they might have to prevent deportation. This is important because in immigration court, the defendant (immigrant) has no legal right to an attorney. Good, you might say. Saves money, right? Wrong. A study done in 2012 showed that the program actually reduced the average court case by 12 days. Twelve less days of immigrant detentions saved our government almost $18 million. Notice I said he tried, he was pressured to continue the service by Congress.
Statement of Cancellation
Statement of Continuation
In summary, our country has celebrated and welcomed refugees in times past. We have put a system into place that would offer due process to those seeking asylum. However that process does not fall under standard judicial powers and therefor does not require representation or due process. Each Presidential Administration implements their brand of immigration policy. This Administration has actively tried curbing immigration judge authority, through workplace intimidation. They unsuccessfully tried to cancel a program that helps hopeful immigrants while saving money. They have put into place a zero-tolerance policy which treats all immigrants as criminals first. They even went so far as to separate children from parents until yesterday when the President signed an Executive Order stopping that practice. It should be mentioned that the President and Sessions both went on record blaming the separation of families on previous administrations, laws, and even Democrats instead of admitting it was their policy. I guess they get credit for putting out the fire... even though they setup the log tee-pee, poured kerosene on it, then lit the match and threw it there... I have digressed.
Last thought, have you ever lived in an area so violent, poor, or otherwise detrimental to the future of your loved ones? Conditions so awful that you'd be willing to leave your home, travel thousands of miles, risk everything for a glimmer of opportunity in another country. A country with a different language and customs. A country full of people who celebrate their immigrant heritage and diversity yet grow increasingly hostile to foreigners like yourself? A country that's leader generalizes you as a criminal, rapist, drug dealer or animal? A country who has a person in charge of the justice department yet preemptively casts judgement on you because, in his opinion, you are undeserving. A country, despite all the negatives, still seems far better and safer than the home you're leaving?
If your answer was no then you should count your blessings.
Empathy: It's not a bad word.
Think before you share folks.
FACT: Immigrants seeking asylum are not breaking the law. In fact they are following international protocol and US law.
President Truman's Message on Refugees
Displaced Persons Act of 1948
Refugee Act of 1979
FACT: Illegal border crossing is considered a federal misdemeanor. You know what else is a federal misdemeanor, let me list a few.
- Ever bought fireworks across State lines? Ever shot them off in a State prohibiting sale or use?
- Ever been on public land and cut or injured a tree?
- Ever downloaded a song or movie that you didn't purchase legally?
- Ever stream something over the internet you didn't purchase legally?
- Ever go fishing or hunting in a National Park with out the proper license?
- Ever take sand, dirt, food, or plant from a protected area and bring it home?
- Ever bring something into the US from another country and didn't claim it?
List of crimes considered Federal Misdemeanors
US Code Title 18 Part II Chapter 227
I'm sure we all know someone who has committed a federal misdemeanor - did they get put into prison before a fair trial? Oh, speaking of trials... did you know the United States Judicial Branch... you know the ones with courts and lawyers and such... they do not preside over immigrant court hearings. Nope. Not their jurisdiction. The Department of Justice, which falls under the Executive Branch, manages the immigration court system.
The head of the Justice Department, Jeff Sessions, has pressured immigration court judges into expediting the process. In his words, "make it more efficient." Sessions sent a memo to immigration judges this April saying "efficiency would now factor in their performance reviews." According to Sessions, "immigration courts are gummed up by frivolous asylum claims" and sabotaged by "dirty immigration lawyers" who try to sneak their clients into legal status they don't deserve.
Read about it here
Apparently April was a busy month for Sessions. He has also tried cancelling a legal orientation program. The program offered workshops to immigrants in detention centers - explaining to them how court hearings worked and what options they might have to prevent deportation. This is important because in immigration court, the defendant (immigrant) has no legal right to an attorney. Good, you might say. Saves money, right? Wrong. A study done in 2012 showed that the program actually reduced the average court case by 12 days. Twelve less days of immigrant detentions saved our government almost $18 million. Notice I said he tried, he was pressured to continue the service by Congress.
Statement of Cancellation
Statement of Continuation
In summary, our country has celebrated and welcomed refugees in times past. We have put a system into place that would offer due process to those seeking asylum. However that process does not fall under standard judicial powers and therefor does not require representation or due process. Each Presidential Administration implements their brand of immigration policy. This Administration has actively tried curbing immigration judge authority, through workplace intimidation. They unsuccessfully tried to cancel a program that helps hopeful immigrants while saving money. They have put into place a zero-tolerance policy which treats all immigrants as criminals first. They even went so far as to separate children from parents until yesterday when the President signed an Executive Order stopping that practice. It should be mentioned that the President and Sessions both went on record blaming the separation of families on previous administrations, laws, and even Democrats instead of admitting it was their policy. I guess they get credit for putting out the fire... even though they setup the log tee-pee, poured kerosene on it, then lit the match and threw it there... I have digressed.
Last thought, have you ever lived in an area so violent, poor, or otherwise detrimental to the future of your loved ones? Conditions so awful that you'd be willing to leave your home, travel thousands of miles, risk everything for a glimmer of opportunity in another country. A country with a different language and customs. A country full of people who celebrate their immigrant heritage and diversity yet grow increasingly hostile to foreigners like yourself? A country that's leader generalizes you as a criminal, rapist, drug dealer or animal? A country who has a person in charge of the justice department yet preemptively casts judgement on you because, in his opinion, you are undeserving. A country, despite all the negatives, still seems far better and safer than the home you're leaving?
If your answer was no then you should count your blessings.
Empathy: It's not a bad word.
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