Watching Human Rights Slip Away

I have to say that the past few months have left me appalled at the actions of the US government. And if current actions are anything to go on, I will continue to be appalled as human rights are stripped from every single immigrant in the land where diversity was once celebrated. 

Because of my community involvement, I regularly come into contact with Norteños (individuals who are Mexican but spend most of their time in the north, otherwise known as the US). Over the past few months, I have been vocal about cautioning them ahead of their intended return when the opportunity arises. The typical response I get is “de lengua me como un taco” which means it’s all exaggerated talk. Some have told me they don’t want to hear anything about it, preferring a head-in-the-sand approach. On their own head be it, then. Others argue that they’ve been in the US for x number of years and nothing bad has happened and that the US could not maintain itself without immigrant workers (both legal and undocumented). While that may be true, it doesn’t seem to faze the current administration. 

Here are some of the things that I’ve been stressing out about because I am powerless to do ANYTHING about it. 

• The Venezuelan and Salvadorean men that have been sent to CECOT will never see their families again. Despite legal injunctions, more have been deported to that hellhole on Earth this week. 
• Student protests are grounds for removal. Beliefs that counter those held by those in power are not to be expressed. 
• Routine traffic stops, immigration check-ins, and social media posts are all grounds for removal.
• Filing taxes with a legally issued ITIN number gives ICE an excuse to come for you. And even if you have a social security number, you can arbitrarily be declared dead, rendering you unable to work, have a bank account, get a driver’s license, pay taxes, get health insurance, and so on. 
• Noncitizens aged 14 and older who have been in the U.S. for 30 days or more are legally required to register with USCIS. The registration process involves providing personal information, including fingerprints, address history, and other biographic details. Registered individuals are required to carry proof of registration at all times. 
• Immigrants waiting for their hearings have been sent messages telling them to self-deport immediately.

I saw that there have been nationwide protests. So what? The individuals in power aren’t stopping. In fact, they’ve become even more brazen. 

History has already shown us what the end result will be. The family detention camps have already been built. 

Here are some links to further reading in case you missed these alarming developments:

📄 News Articles

• What to know about El Salvador’s mega-prison after Trump sent hundreds of immigrants there
• An ‘administrative error’ sent a Maryland man to an El Salvador prison, ICE says
• IRS acting commissioner is resigning over deal to send immigrants’ tax data to ICE, AP sources say
• Trump administration permitted by judge to require registration of everyone in the U.S. illegally
• Judge rules Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil can be deported
• Social Security lists thousands of living immigrants as dead to prompt them to leave, AP sources say
• President Trump brings back practice of detaining families together
• For-profit immigration detention expands as Trump accelerates his deportation plans
• A Maryland mother was detained by ICE nearly two weeks ago. So far, no evidence has been provided
• Migrants who used Biden-era app told to leave US ‘immediately’
• Another 17 alleged gang members are deported from U.S. to El Salvador
• How the Nazis Manipulated the Masses
• Life In A US Japanese American Internment Camp
• State tells employees to report on one another for ‘anti-Christian bias’

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