I was writing something else to blog but this came up today that requires comment.
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen is resigning. Via Dara Lind at Vox.com, here's more:
Nielsen, the sixth head of the Department of Homeland Security and Trump’s second appointee (she was confirmed in December 2017 after John Kelly left to become White House chief of staff), has arguably been the most aggressive secretary in the department’s short history in cracking down on immigration — with her legacy likely to be defined among progressives by the “zero tolerance” prosecution policy of late spring and early summer 2018 that resulted in the separation of thousands of families at the US-Mexico border.
She is one of the key figures in a policy that separated children from families and put babies into jails. This wasn't "zero tolerance" this was zero humanity.
None of it appears to have been enough for Trump.
Nielsen’s resignation was preceded on Thursday night by the abrupt withdrawal of the nomination of acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Ron Vitiello to formally lead the agency, with Trump telling reporters Friday morning that he wanted to go in a “tougher direction.” While it’s not yet clear whether Trump requested Nielsen’s resignation or not, it certainly appears as if that “tougher direction” is extending to a new DHS secretary. (Earlier in the week, it was reported that Trump was considering a White House-based “immigration czar” to coordinate various immigration-related agencies — most of which are under the aegis of DHS.)
Do you realize what's happening here. trump desires finding someone to put in charge of a sadistic immigration policy who will make it worse.
Trump has taken out his frustrations on Nielsen before. In spring 2018, he reportedly threw a tantrum at her during a cabinet meeting over why she didn’t just “close the border” (a threat he brought back last week, though Nielsen and other officials made clear he would only be able to close ports along the border). After the 2018 midterms, he reportedly decided to ask for her resignation as part of a post-election Cabinet shakeup, but appears to have changed his mind.
But with nearly 100,000 migrants apprehended by Border Patrol agents along the US-Mexico border in March, Trump is yet again ruminating angrily and obsessively over immigration, riffing in speeches about telling migrants “we’re full” and “go back.”You and I both know that he's only screaming "GO BACK" to just the Latino immigrants. And the Asian immigrants, and the African immigrants. I guarantee you trump will greet a refugee boat of Norwegians washing up on the Maine shoreline with open arms and a goddamn welcoming parade. Outside of that, trump wants his goddamned Wall and his bloodlust against Mexicans (and Central Americans) sated.
Nielsen couldn’t make that happen, because no one could, because it’s impossible. The US can’t — even with a wall — physically prevent the entry of unauthorized immigrants onto US soil. And once on US soil, they have certain rights — including the right to request asylum...
These are rights set down by international treaty - something we signed onto and under the Constitution has to be treated as law - and what trump is looking to do is ignore all of that to fulfill his racist obsessions. All it will take is a compliant Senate to agree to whatever hateful wingnut - I'm hearing voter-suppressor Kobach, but am willing to bet Stephen Miller would love the opportunity as long as he doesn't face scrutiny - will take the job next.
There is nothing to celebrate here. Yes, a terrible person is dropping out of power but she is leaving behind a disaster filled with ruined lives that will take years to repair (if at all). There are still missing children, goddammit, and Nielsen has to answer for every single one.
Once this goddamn blight is out of the White House, there better be a Human Rights Commission to hunt every violator of immigrant and asylum seekers' rights down and hold them accountable for the dead and missing and scarred. Time to shove Nielsen, trump, and every goddamn Republican who signed off on this policy into one of those cages they've been using at ICE facilities.
WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN, NIELSEN?
WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN, trump?
6 comments:
The very young children who have been separated from their parents and institutionalized will never fully recover. Some damage cannot be undone. All that can (read that must) be done is to do whatever it takes to reunite them with their families and then see that those families are given asylum and taken care of as restitution for the harm inflicted upon them.
-Doug in Oakland
Today's news is full of reports that trump wants to go deeper into the family separation plan. he's clearing out half the DHS of anybody who will refuse to follow his illegal orders. this is going to get worse. I can feel it.
...
there's something else bothering me too, but I'm not sure if I can say it here. Other than I am aware of national guard activity that has got me spooked.
Thou shalt not trespass. Thou shalt not put your children in danger by trespassing. Thou shalt not show your children that trespass is rewarding.
Ed:
Thou shall seek asylum in safe places when your home countries are overrun by murder gangs.
Thou shall help those in need, as asked of by Jesus in Matthew 25:40. "And the King shall answer and say unto them, ‘Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.’"
Thou shall honor thy treaties and obligations to other nations, with regards to helping fellow humanity survive and flourish among us all, for thou neighbor is thou and his place in the community shall help thou community thrive and prosper.
Uh, how about "thou shalt reap the consequences of the illegal wars you waged in the eighties"?
Or more precisely, the nation and its government shall after you're dead.
-Doug in Oakland
Post a Comment