Reunite families, stop the deportations

Latest

American and Mexican artists are painting a mile-long mural on the U.S.-Mexico border fence celebrating peace and unity.
CARTOON/ANDY WILLIS

 
In mid-April, Laura Maradiaga-Alvarado, an 11-year-old girl now in Houston, received a deportation order terrorizing her and her family. Laura faced deportation back to El Salvador, a country that she had fled with her mother and sister for fear of their lives. Deportation would have separated her from her mother and sister, who had been given permission to stay in the US while they seek asylum. It turned out that the deportation order was a clerical error, and a judge has halted the order for now. But this does not take away the inhumanity of the immigration system.
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo denounced the deportation order in a Tweet. “This is heart-wrenching,” he wrote. “…Family values? American values? Judeo-Christian values?… The Nazis enforced their laws as well. You don’t separate children from their families! Ever! You’d have to kill me to take my child from me simply because I was trying to get them to a better place for a better tomorrow. I am glad to be on the right side of history.”
Texas is more and more emerging as the front line of the fight for democracy and human rights. The Texas SB 4 “show me your papers” law was upheld by federal courts last year. Among other things it bans sanctuary cities in Texas and essentially makes state and local police an arm of federal immigration authorities, allowing them to question the immigration status of anyone they arrest or detain. A bill currently before the Texas House would repeal in-state tuition for undocumented immigrant students. There is also the Hutto immigrant detention center at Taylor, Texas, which became notorious for the sexual abuse of detainees by guards. Then there was the recent case of the Border Patrol holding men, women and children under a bridge in El Paso behind a fence topped with razor wire. The American Civil Liberties Union called the detention of migrants in outdoor pens “an unprecedented and extreme violation.”
In Texas and elsewhere, the separation of families, the caging of children, the sexual abuse, the tortuous conditions of detention, the raids and the unwarranted arrests and deportations, the illegal refusal of requests for asylum, the deaths of people in government custody—it’s not only immoral for us to tolerate it, it’s a threat to everyone’s rights and freedom.
The economic system is breaking down and can no longer provide for the people, so the powerful are trying to protect themselves by destroying democracy and turning us against each other. But millions are against this assault on democracy and human decency, and they are joining forces. One fighter in Texas reported that those fighting for the human rights of immigrants are becoming stronger and more united. “When we stand together, we have unlimited power,” he said.
People have the right to migrate and to seek asylum. We must end the militarization of the border, and stop the detention and deportation of immigrants. The immigrants are part of America’s working class. If we allow ourselves to be divided, we will all be living in poverty under a dictatorship of the billionaires. There is plenty of everything for everyone. United, the people can take control of this country and build a true democracy where everyone has all they need. Our motto must be “All for each, and each for all!”

PT Logo collage
+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Mamdani’s NY Campaign Electrifies Those Seeking a Better Life

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, has struck a nerve by voicing the demands of those who are struggling to survive as the cost of living continues to rise.

Another Big Beautiful Betrayal for Rural America

You slash Medicaid, you’re swinging an axe at the heart of our rural hospitals, community clinics, doctors and nurses — and every family that depends on a job for a living. It’s not too late to raise hell.

ICE Terror Campaign Threatens Us All

Several recent Facebook reels show how ICE is ramping up its campaign of terror against immigrants, citizens and protestors alike as the effort to create a police state continues and resistance grows. One creator speaks to the significance of Haitians now being targeted.

Medicaid Defenders in Wheelchairs Arrested Ahead of Senate Budget Vote

Over 60 people, including grandmas in wheelchairs, were arrested in the U.S. Senate Rotunda in a nonviolent protest against cuts like Medicaid and the SNAP food program in Trump’s “Big Beautiful Budget Bill.”

Zohran Mamdani Delivers Stunning Blow to ‘Billionaire-Backed Status Quo’ in NYC

New York City proved that a movement powered by hope, courage, and working class people can beat the money of billionaires.

More from the People's Tribune