Readers split over immigration policy separating families
Splitting families: It's a deterrent
Here’s a thought:
If you want to keep the migrant children with their parents, then have them stop entering the United States without permission.
Now, immigrants without permission are being called “unauthorized” to soften the fact that crossing the border is in fact unlawful.
Break the law — suffer the consequences.
I believe this policy will slow illegal immigration more than the wall.
—Harold G. Hodapp Jr.,
Fort Worth
Splitting families: It's punishment
Visitors to jail prisoners would most likely agree that separating parents from their children is inhumane, but that's what happens when a person chooses to break the law.
When I worked at a food bank years ago, a man needed help for his sister’s children.
She was incarcerated for shoplifting. She wasn't able to care for her children due to her crime.
Lawful immigrants' children are not separated from their parents.
Most would agree our immigration laws need reform.
—Deborah Fleischmann,
Fort Worth
Splitting families: It's bad for kids
Regardless of how you feel about immigration, it is unquestionably harmful to children to be removed from their parents.
No child deserves such trauma.
Our refugee laws require us to treat anyone seeking asylum with respect.
They are not to be imprisoned or charged with violations until we have reviewed and adjudicated their claim.
That’s the law. If you don’t like it, then change it. But don’t just ignore it.
And surely, don’t ignore it with regard to a 53-week-old baby.
At one time America held the moral high ground. We were seen as the best and fairest people in the world, and the world acknowledged that.
What happened?
How have Americans become so cruel, especially to children?
—Charles Stonick,
Granbury
Splitting families: It's un-Christian
So we have to make immigration enforcement as traumatic as possible?
Is my country running the equivalent of prison camps for children?
How do we ensure none of these children are abused, neglected or trafficked?
I challenge Senators Cornyn and Cruz and our representatives to leave their ivory towers and make repeated visits to the facilities that keep our children, to ensure they are well cared for and well accounted for.
When we take children from their parents we bear a responsibility for them.
We will be accountable to a higher law than those enacted in Congress.
—Grace Elliott,
Arlington
Splitting families: It's shameful
A member of the Senate was denied access to assess the living conditions and situation of the children removed from their parents at the border.
This only reinforces the belief that these children are being treated inhumanely.
The current housing situation of the children taken away from their parents while attempting to cross the border is reprehensible.
We should be doing everything we can to protect them, not locking them up in cages like animals.
Where is the sense of decency from our elected officials? Where is their outrage?
Those who stand by and do nothing are rarely remembered well.
Our representatives should be standing up for these children, instead of cowering behind 45 and this ridiculous policy.
—Amanda Bullock,
Watauga
Splitting families: It's familiar
They say if you don’t learn from history you are doomed to repeat it
Didn’t the Nazis separate children? What’s next, an "i" on our clothes for "immigrants"?
All this cruelty for his wall.
—Frances Lopez,
Fort Worth
In GCISD: Against Putnam
We often hear how Empower Texans is using its financial prowess to push its ideology — from the Texas Legislature to local elections.
It’s easy to ignore Empower Texans because state government seems so far removed from local citizens.
But now Empower Texans has a face in Grapevine-Colleyville — Amy Putnam.
Most are not concerned about a local school board runoff. They just care that their kids are happy and receiving a great education.
If we allow Empower Texans a foothold in GCISD, the game changes — and not in a good way.
These people are about control — not your kids or the innovative programs they enjoy.
—John Doughney,
Grapevine
In Forest Hill: For Benson
I recommend re-electing Councilwoman Michielle Benson to Place 3.
She is honest, supportive and cares about the citizens.
Our city has never had an audit committee before, and she voted each and every time to have one and include citizens.
We have many things wrong with the yearly audit for the last fiscal year and she has been instrumental in trying to find what needs to be corrected.
She has always been behind a forensic audit.
She is moving the city forward for justice rather than for power.
—Leslie Jasperson,
Forest Hill
This story was originally published June 8, 2018 at 5:50 PM with the headline "Readers split over immigration policy separating families."