Problem Chylde: Learning & Writing

CrossLeft.org blogmiga Kety Esquivel represented myself and the rest of The Sanctuary editorial board on CNN yesterday morning, giving an excellent overview of why she headed up the development of the questionnaire and how we want to hear the candidates’ policy and strategy – not catch phrases and empty promises.

Many thanks to Kai for the YouTube upload.  The timeliness of the response to our questionnaire grows more pertinent each day as ICE continues to launch raids on cities and local economies across the United States, with the latest federal anti-migrant strike hitting Providence, Rhode Island yesterday:

Craig N. Berke, spokesman for the Rhode Island judiciary, said the raids occurred simultaneously at 5 p.m. at all six Rhode Island courthouses. He said a “substantial” percentage of employees of two contractors hired by the state were taken into custody.

Berke declined to name the contractors, however relatives of some of the detainees identified one company as the Tri-State Enterprises employment agency on North Main Street.

Berke said those who were arrested “are not state employees. They are not employees of the judiciary.” He said “dozens” of people were arrested but he did not have an exact count.

“The investigation was initiated by the judiciary,” Berke said. “In early June, we forwarded evidence to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Rhode Island State Police. The judiciary has been cooperating with that investigation on a daily basis since then.” Berke declined to say what the evidence was.

[...]News of yesterday’s raids spread rapidly as courthouse workers phoned relatives, friends and community leaders. Demonstrators assembled outside the ICE building in Providence at about 8 p.m. As police arrived, the group divided and people rushed to doors at the front and rear of the building.

Juan Garcia, organizer for Immigrants in Action at St. Teresa Church in Olneyville, said his cell phone began buzzing at 4:45 p.m. as he was driving toward Newport from Providence to discuss fallout from an immigration raid there several weeks ago that led to 42 arrests at stores, restaurants and apartments.

He said he learned the arrests had occurred at the Kent County courthouse “and right here in Providence,” he said pointing to the Garrahy Judicial Complex across the street from ICE headquarters.

Some of the women who were arrested “have little kids, bigger kids,” he said.

If anyone has information on demonstrations in Rhode Island, ways to donate money to the workers and their families, or methods of outreach, please leave a comment. 

We can’t wait for punditry and empty promises as federal forces detain people who are trying to make a living.  We can’t wait for shallow and ambiguous speeches while children are being separated from their mothers and fathers.  We need to hear a clear and thoughtful political and moral stance from our next president; we need clear evidence that working is not a crime.  Going to school is not a crime.  Trying to keep your family together is not a crime.  A so-called nation of immigrants should have a naturalization policy that is more efficient and amenable to all races and classes of people who help keep our economy running.  We are a land of opportunity, not a land of ostracization.

Gear up, politicos, on how you’ll face this citizenship travesty.  The clock’s ticking.