DeSantis and Abbott Should be Charged With Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is both a crime against humanity and a crime in the United States. At the same time, it is not against the law to ask for asylum in this nation. Immigration has been the backbone of this country since its founding. And yet, there are some who want to restrict who can enter the US.

Over the last few weeks, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott have been using tax dollars to ship South American migrants to blue states. Not knowing where they were going, they were expecting that jobs were waiting for them when they reached their final destination. Instead, the locations they arrived in (New York City for the migrants sent from Texas and Martha’s Vineyard for the migrants sent from Florida), the local officials were not aware or prepared for the new arrivals. As of this past weekend, NYC is looking at the possibility of taking legal action against Abbott.

This goes back to what we all know. Serious reform of our immigration policy is necessary. The most recent change was a decade ago with DACA. While DACA was a huge step forward, it does not solve the overall issue. The problem is made worse by our current political climate, which has at best led to mostly partisan legislation and at worst, created a deadlock that cannot be overcome.

I think the answer to the question should be yes. They have broken the law and like anyone who has been accused of a crime, should have their day in court. But only time will tell if this comes to pass.

P.S.: A woman who was among the over 10,000 migrants bused from Texas to New York killed herself on Monday. Abbott has blood on his hands.

Advertisement

This Tit For Tat Business Is Getting Us Nowhere

When in a business situation and trying to come to deal that will please both parties, there are two ways on how to respond to the situation.

The first type of response (i.e. mature) response is to sit down with the other party and hammer out a deal that both sides will walk away satisfied with.

The second type of response (immature) is to respond in an action that can only be described as tit for tat.

Earlier this week, Nancy Pelosi asked you know who to delay his State Of The Union speech (which is as of now scheduled for January 29) until the government shutdown has ended.

His response was something that we have been sadly become accustomed to. Not only did he cancel a pre-planned overseas trip by a congressional delegation, he did so less than an hour before they were supposed to leave. He claimed that it was because of the shutdown that those who were on the trip could not use government airplanes. But while he denies the use of government airplanes so our Congressmen and women can thank our troops in person, Melania flies to Florida using a government airplane.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander. If members of Congress cannot fly using government planes to support our troops, then the first family cannot use government airplanes for personal use. But this is nothing new, at least coming from him. He thinks that he, his family and the people closest to him are above the law and are not expected the follow the rules that the rest of us follow.

As the shutdown continues, experts predict that the financial damage to the economy could pass the amount that he states that he needs to build the wall.

Earlier this evening, he announced that he will support DACA and TPS (Temporary Protected Status), if the Democrats agree to the wall. Do I smell desperation?

He has obviously learned that tit for tat and acting like a man-child taking a temper tantrum will get him nowhere, at least in the short-term. The question is, will he learn that in the long-term or is this just temporary until until the government opens and it is business as usual?

 

 

Would DACA for the Wall Work?

As the government shutdown continues on, the emotion and frustration on both sides of the political aisle continues. One could argue that both the Republicans and the Democrats are digging in their heels instead of trying to make some sort of agreement that appeals to everyone.

I’ve been thinking that perhaps if Democrats agreed to the wall in return for the Republicans signing off on DACA, that would finally get this country back to normal.

According to an article in Newsday today, the administration supposedly offered to fund DACA in return for the Democrats signing off on the wall. Though to be honest, it feels like a trap. I don’t trust that the administration will keep DACA as leverage if and/or when the Democrats come to the table.

The irony of this offer is that in the past, the Republicans have fought against DACA with everything that they have.

I count myself lucky that I personally have not yet been affected by the shutdown. But someone close to me has and that hits home in a way that only adds to the frustration that we are all feeling.

As the days go on, this shutdown appears more to be more about the individual needs of the major political parties as a pose to doing what is right for the country and the voters. This is why many Americans don’t vote. They feel apathetic, ignored, like their voice means nothing to those in power.

If this shutdown does not come to an end soon,  I fear that this apathy and feeling of being ignored will grow to the point where many will not vote at all. Without that vote, the American Democracy that we know it to be will cease to exist. That is the scariest thought of all.

 

Whatever Happened To Decency And Humanity?

Imagine this: you are a young man brought to America by your parents looking for a better life. Your parents might not have thought through the legal side of emigration, but they were thinking of your future. Decades pass and you are living a normal life. Marriage, kids, working, not causing trouble with the law, paying your taxes on time, etc.  Then you are forced to leave America for a country you may not remember and have to leave your family behind.

This is the story of Jorge Garcia. Yesterday, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Mr. Garcia was forced to return to Mexico. Despite the fact that his wife and children are American citizens, he will not be allowed to return to the country for ten years. Unfortunately, he is too old to quality for DACA.

This is the type of story that makes my blood boil. This man does not even have a parking ticket to his name. His only crime is being brought to America as a child. There many thousands of men and women who have similar tales to Mr. Garcia. They might not have been born here and their parents might have skirted the immigration rules, but for all intents and purposes, they are Americans. They are in school, they are working, they are raising American children. They are contributing to our country.  I see no reason to force them out of the only country they call home. It is inhumane, indecent and goes against everything that America stands for.

New Randy Rainbow Video-“DACA Shame”

There is nothing like a new Randy Rainbow video to provide a satirical light in the darkness that is the Trump Presidency.

His new video “DACA Shame” is sheer perfection.

Reaction To The DACA Withdrawl

The sins of the parent should never be forced on the child. While some parents also have good intentions, those good intentions may not turn out as planned.

Today it was announced that DACA will soon be no more. Young adults who have grown up in this country and have become responsible, upright citizens will be labelled as no better that criminals.

As I stated in a previous post, I agree that illegal immigration is wrong. But it is also wrong to punish a young adult who came to this country as a child has grown up to think themselves as an American.

BTW, did anyone else see the stories about Alonso Guillen and Jesus Contreras, two dreamers who put their lives on the line to save others during Hurricane Harvey? Mr. Guillen lost his life in the process.

I think that these men deserve our respect, our gratitude and a welcoming hand instead of being sent back to countries that are ultimately foreign to them.

If you agree, sign the petition. We need to send a message to Washington that DACA deserves to be saved.

Protect DACA

For untold generations of immigrants, America has been the “golden medina” or the golden land. America represented the freedom, the security and the opportunities that did not exist in other countries.

Under President Obama, DACA or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was codified into law. DACA protects illegal immigrants who came to America with their families when they were minors. Basically if the now former minor is living a normal life without making trouble (going to school, working, paying taxes, etc), they receive a renewable two-year permit that allows them to stay in the country without fear of deportation.

President Trump is considering doing away with DACA.

I get it, illegal immigration is a problem. I also get that the process to legally immigrate and follow the rules to become a citizen is time-consuming and difficult. But at the same time, these kids did not have a choice in the matter. They came with their families and grew up as any normal American child. They should not be punished because their parents wanted a better life for them.

America is a country of immigrants. Most, if not all of us (including President Trump) can trace their family histories back to at least one person who left their birth place for the potential future of living in America. While lawful immigration is preferable, we need to understand why people immigrate illegally and show some compassion for them, especially for their children.