“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness”.(Declaration of Independence: A Transcription | National Archives)
The quote above comes from the Declaration of Independence, a historical document that establishes the United States of America. Written by our Founding Fathers to unite a nation. Close to three centuries later, we are questioning the validity of this document as everything promised is overlooked by the current government.
The U.S. is home to millions of immigrant families. Immigrants moved to the U.S in search of a better life for themselves and their children. They have worked endlessly no matter the field of work they’re in to provide for themselves and their families back at home, causing no harm or danger. Construction, Health care, Agriculture, and many other jobs rely on the immigrant workforce, immigrants are a key backbone of our nation.
So why take away their unalienable rights promised to them in the Declaration of Independence? We have seen how immigrants have helped shape the country, taking jobs that other Americans won’t even consider. Is their background, language or culture a valid reason to dehumanize them?
Wherever you are in the U.S. you have seen the violent treatment towards immigrants, either online or in person. In the past months we have witnessed immigrants being tear gassed, threatened, separated from families , along with many other evil treatments. The treatment immigrants receive is nothing short of evil and inhumane.
Imagine seeing your loved one pinned to the ground by officers, knowing the only reason is because of their background and how they look, not any criminal offenses. Well for many immigrant children you don’t have to imagine this, this is a short summary of their everyday lives. Living in constant fear for months not knowing if your loved ones might be gone the next day.
To say ICE operations are a violent scheme is an understatement. The goal of these operations was to remove immigrant gangs, criminals and ‘ The worst of the worst’ from the country. However, Trump and his administration quickly noticed that they weren’t satisfied with the amount of deportations they made, so they started deporting citizens who looked like ‘aliens’. This completely contradicts the goal of these operations. Showing how one could be so dishonest while also using acts of violence for their own benefit.
With the goal of these operations being to arrest the worst of the worst criminals, certainly they’re the most deported group of immigrants, right? Wrong. Statistics show immigrants with no criminal record are the most deported group. This goes to show how the Trump administration is ordering officials to arrest anyone that looks like an ‘alien’. They are arresting innocent people, leaving their loved ones behind unknowing of what’s next.
What about the actual criminals, drug dealers, offenders in the country that aren’t immigrants? Do they get put to the side solely because of their looks and culture? Their goal was to make the country superior, to make the U.S safer, instead they are making it inferior by removing the workforce of hardworking immigrants.
The solution to these problems are much deeper rooted than it may seem. It might take years for immigrants to truly feel safe and have freedom again. We have tried protests, making it known ICE is wrong, but nothing seems to change. The living in fear factor won’t go away for a while. But a true solution needs to be found in how and who ICE arrests. Stop arresting the hard working immigrants who dedicate every hour of their day working for a better life. Arrest the criminals, offenders, the real ‘Worst of the worst’. Know how to differentiate a hard working immigrant to a criminal.
Every citizen in the U.S., no matter your culture or background, deserves to be given the unalienable rights promised to them at birth. That is something that should never be taken away. The American Dream is a destiny many hope to reach, the least you could give them is an equal opportunity at destiny.
Anthony Sinchi – Francis W. Parker School – DMSF Class of 2030
Photo Credit: Bradley Andrews – Unsplash