The morally reprehensible actions of our government at the southern border, separating immigrant children from their mothers and fathers, done in our name, and with our tax dollars, cannot be allowed to continue. The pathetic efforts of Jeff Sessions to use scripture to justify separating parents and children makes my stomach turn. To justify this repulsive program is to turn my back on the moral wisdom of western civilization passed on to me through my family and church.
These families fleeing violence in their native Honduras, or Guatemala, or El Salvador want nothing more than safety for their children, to which they have a right. The right of persons being persecuted to seek asylum is enshrined in Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United States is a signatory to that document. Those who believe our national sovereignty is threatened by the United Nations ought to recall that our own Declaration of Independence claims that every person on earth is created equal and has God-given, inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Those are rights of all, people not just of U.S. citizens.
I have witnessed the damage done to unaccompanied youth who are denied a place to live in peace. During the fall of 2016, I met many youngsters who were coming to realize that their dream of immigrating to England would be denied. Some of these 15 and 16-year olds had trekked across Africa and the Mediterranean Sea to get to Europe and eventually to Calais. They told of the abuse they suffered on the journey, especially in Libya. Some were inflicting harm on themselves including suicide, others fell victim to traffickers, still others, just disappeared. For some of the young on the border they have faced many of the same abuses on the journey north, many are defenseless in the face of traffickers and now their hopes of living without war and violence are dashed.
Years ago, a group of my (all white) neighbors and I journeyed to a parish in Elizabeth, New Jersey to meet on a Saturday afternoon with undocumented immigrants, to ‘listen to their stories’ and share a light meal of home-made Peruvian empanadas. The young men told us how they were truckers in their home country, but that the gangs had taken their trucks and put them out of business. They had no funds to replace the trucks, no land to farm and no way to feed their children. They came to the U.S. to work so they could send money home to feed their children. One among us who was not very welcoming of refugees was moved by the sincerity of the desire of the undocumented young fathers to feed their children. When asked if he understood why they crossed into the U.S. without papers, my friend remarked, “How could I call myself a father, if I would not do the same?
If you agree that this policy of separating children must end, please contact your elected federal officials. You can find their contact information here. If you see a demonstration against this practice announced, join it, even if it is a first time for you. I also ask your prayers for the many volunteers working on the border to show love and respect to these immigrant families. There are congregations of religious sisters and Catholic Charities that could use your prayers and perhaps donations.
I cannot finish without wondering how much of the violence from which these immigrants flee is U.S. inspired. Clearly the war in El Salvador was a factor. What other military incursions have we managed? How many guns have been sold to these countries? How many of their leaders have been trained at the Fort Benning School for Assassins?
I’m currently reading a book by Kerry Kennedy written about her father, Robert. F. Kennedy. Allow me to close with a quote from RFK.
All great questions must be raised by great voices,
and the greatest voice is the voice of the people—speaking out
—in prose, or painting or poetry or music;
speaking out
—in homes and halls, streets and farms,
courts and cafes
—let that voice speak and the stillness you hear
will be the gratitude of mankind.