Family values - not here
One of the so called issues both political parties are fond of is "family values"; its something everyone wants to appear strong on. Of course the politicians who advocate the strongest are generally the ones who have no idea of what it is. Like most issues, politicians are selective as to when they think family values are important. One area where its never talked about is immigration. Not only is it never talked about, you could say our immigration policies - and especially the criminal statutees - are anti family values!
Living in Waco, Texas, we don't see many prosecutions for immigration violations. There are a few though, and the ones I have been involved with have been disturbing. Everyone knows its a crime to come into the country illegally. The penalties become more serious if you have been previously deported. If you have a felony conviction, the sentences can approach those handed out in serious drug cases. What's disturbing about many of these cases is that are imprisoning people for doing nothing more than trying to be with, and support their families.
I have seen defendants who came over here when they were children. For various reasons they never became citizens, and end up in trouble - often minor offense like shoplifting. Some don't even speak spanish, and have no family in Mexico. Yet we imprison them, and deport them; we basically send them off to a foreign country, with no support net. It's not surprising that many choose to come back.
I recognize that these people broke the law, and the fault is mainly theirs. However, you can't ignore the fact that they have made lives in this country. They've raised their families, and been productive members of society. They have been good workers, and contributed to the community. When it comes time to sentence them or deport them though, none of that matters.
If you are really serious about family issues, let's be consistent. Instead of tearing families apart, we should spend some time worrying about how to keep them together.
