Trump at least takes responsibility for his acts; what about the kids’ parents, origin countriesIJ
Wife Melania and daughter Ivanka must be commended for, even if with the prior approval of an approval-rating obsessed President Donald Trump, publicly expressing their concern about the plight of children of illegal immigrants in detention centres near the US border with Mexico. It was former First lady laura Bush, however, who first broke Republican ranks to express her disappointment and disapproval of the manner in which the crisis has been handled by the Trump Administration; and she and her husband former President George W. Bush are very much party royalty so their words count. The result of the unacceptable situation created at the border is that Trump has now signed an executive order that stipulates children would not be separated from their illegal immigrant parents at the US border. At a humanitarian level, that was necessary and the pressure built by public outrage has had a welcome effect.
It also shows that Trump has, at least, taken responsibility for the implementation issues of this aspect of his clearly stated policy of zero tolerance for illegal immigration which was endorsed by a majority of American citizens who elected him President. That's a good thing. To paraphrase a conflicted President Trump himself from a couple of days ago when criticism was reaching a crescendo — one on hand there's the kids, on the other the huge issue of illegal immigration. If you prioritise the former you show heart but if you want to crackdown on the latter you are called heartless. The President's executive will not end the detention of children; it will ensure that children are not separated from the parents who have been detained for illegal immigration. Because it must be made clear that the US has a sovereign right to heighten border protection, build the wall and take all legal steps against illegal immigration which Middle America has time and again in opinion polls and the real thing supported. Those of us moved, and rightly so, by the plight of wailing kids who are likely to be damaged emotionally and scarred psychologically by this separation from their parents should also keep in mind that US law allows for anyone born Stateside to claim citizenship; the problem is when the parents of the kids born on American soil are migrants who have entered the country illegally, usually trafficked in with women and children and abused en route by human smugglers.
In all of the clamour for the justifiable call to ensure proper investigative, legal and rehabilitative structures are in place before implementing a zero-tolerance policy on illegal immigration, a demand we support, we must not lose sight of the criminal irresponsibility of the parents and state structures in their countries of origin. To knowingly put one's children in harm's way, which is precisely what migrants do when they enter a country illegally, cannot be supported. Yes, we are aware of the desire to build a better life and live in security which prompts these illegal migrations from poorer countries to the Valhalla which they imagine the US to be. And yes, America has been built on the toil of immigrants legal and/or illegal. But you know whatIJ Wake up. We are no longer in the 19th/20th century, the world has changed, nation-states want to understandably protect their borders and prevent largescale demographic-cultural disruption caused by illegal immigration and most importantly have laws on the statute to enable it. Just blaming a President whose aesthetic one may be repulsed by is not good enough. And what about holding to account the governments of the countries of origin of these migrants who have failed to build meritocratic societies where equal opportunity for the pursuit of happiness, security and prosperity for its citizens is a reality. Wouldn't that prevent large-scale illegal immigration of its citizens into the USIJ The human condition does not lend itself to facile assumptions or solutions. In the interim, let the kids be safe and with their parents but don't for a moment believe illegal immigration is acceptable anymore.