Encourage more humane immigration policies

It has been more than a year since Operation Midway Blitz began in the Chicago area. Make no mistake. Despite the end of this immigration “blitz,” efforts continue that involve the deportation of unaccompanied minor children, separation of families and violence toward those deemed undeserving of the ability to make their way toward U.S. citizenship.

In some cases, the victims of the violence were U.S. citizens. In addition, thousands of people, including children, who are guilty of no criminal activity, are being held in facilities that often fail to provide for basic human needs. Where is our humanity?

Currently, over 70% of detainees in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody have no criminal convictions. Parents detained by ICE and facing deportation may have to choose between leaving their children behind or having the children deported with them to unsafe regions. In August, a Chicago immigration judge ordered the deportation of six unaccompanied children ranging in age from 12 to 17. Take a moment to imagine how a child would react to this cruelty.

The current administration has terminated contracts with independent legal advocacy organizations that were providing legal services to unaccompanied migrant children. Instead, the government appointed its own Department of Health and Human Services attorneys to represent these children. This is clearly a conflict of interest and ethically questionable.

Should children be the victims of these practices? Again, where is our humanity?

Please consider educating yourself on the positions your elected officials take regarding immigration practices and reflect this in your voting. Contact your senators and representatives to encourage them to support more humane immigration policy options. If you are able, consider more public advocacy and help foster a shared humanity.

Elizabeth Gallichio, Des Plaines