After reading “Raid Leaves Families Fractured”, a writing by Bruce Finley, I could not help but feel that the United States government were at fault. The issue revolves around an incident where the government (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raided a Swift & Co. meatpacking plant and arrested a number of illegal workers. The illegal workers were locked up immediately and family members had a hard time finding out where they were. A major issue brought up in the writing involved children being left without a parent to look after them. I am not saying I agree with people illegally working in our country and taking advantage of free medical care and subsidies, but the Immigration and Customs Enforcement could have approached the problem at a more humane angle.
Many illegal workers in this meatpacking plant had families to support. Out of desperation, many tried to sneak under the U.S. laws and work in our country. Once again, I am not in favor of illegal immigration, but many innocent children and other family members were affected by this raid. If you look at the situation from a parent’s point of view, it is heartbreaking. Some parents were going to extreme measures and putting themselves on the line to provide for their children and, because of it, got taken away from their children. In many cases, children had to be adopted or were put in the government system. I believe the illegal immigrants could have been dealt with in a different way, so families could at least stay together. I blame the Immigration and Customs Enforcement administration in failing to plan for the repercussions of the raid; mainly, leaving kids parentless and fending for themselves.
I was also heated because the companies who hired these illegal immigrants did not get into any trouble with the law. It is not right to punish the individuals who were working so hard to make ends meet, then let the corporation off the hook. The company is the one that hired these workers and accepted the documentation for employment. Because of this, I believe that the Swift & Co. also contributed to the pain of so many children and should be held responsible. In the end, we are all human and it is not right to treat people, especially children, in this way.
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I like your summary of the article, I plan on reading it myself now. One word of advice, I wouldn't use the word heated (it's technicaly slang).
ReplyDeleteI disagree a little bit with where you're coming from, though. If the illegals had never violated our country's laws and brought their children with them, or had them here, then they brought the situation on themselves. I am flexible when it comes to illegal immigrants finding low-paying jobs that the average American wouldn't want, but it's their responsibility not to get caught if they decide to take on that venture. They are putting their own kids in danger. Also, without records of any of the immigrants, how are the customs officers even supposed to know if they even have kids? The customs people did their job, in my opinion, unfortunate as it might be for the families.
I can't really speak for them, but I'll try to explain using the writing. It seemed like the families in the writing were desperate to have somewhat of an income. Why else would they be risking themselves for very very low pay? It said the ICE would interview the workers there to determine if they had children. I somewhat agree with what you said. It is the law and they knew that coming into America illegally had consequences. I just believe there could have been a more cooperative way to stop the situation, while still keeping families together.
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic.
ReplyDeleteI also feel bad for this children but ultimately the parents are to blame. They knew the consequences of coming to America illegally and the knew what would happen if they got caught. The people of thne Immigration and Customs Enforcement that arrested the illegal workers were probably just doing their job. They can't exactly not arrest them because of the children. They need an income too. However, I do agree with you about how the people who hired the illegal workers should have gotten punished.
ReplyDeleteI understand where the U.S. government is coming from and why they would do what they did but i have always wondered why do they care so much that people come over here for jobs. Sometimes i think America is greedy and needs to give a little more. Also i wondered, what other ways could the U.S. have handled this situation that would have been more humane? ....oh an by the way i like how you said you were heated....
ReplyDeleteIllegal immigration is a very controversial subject. My question has always been how many of these individuals would fill out neccessary papers to be here legally if they were allowed? And what about the immigrants who give birth to children in the US. Their children are citizens but they aren't. Many problems arise from situations such as these and I think that the immigrants shouldn't be treated cruelly regardless of their status.
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