Left to Rot - an Immigrant Speaks on the GOPs Appalling Political Stunt
Okay, buckle up kids. There is venting ahead.
This isn’t an article containing factual, unbiased reporting. It’s an opinion piece. And my opinion is that Ron Desantis and Greg Abbott are two awful, wretched excuses for human beings.
On September 15, 2022, these two men sent groups of illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard and Kamala Harris’ Washington D.C. residence for what amounts to little more than a cheap political stunt. And they absolutely wasted real money that could have been better spent elsewhere to do this.
Before we go any further, here’s what you need to know: I am an immigrant. A legal immigrant. I came to the United States from Canada in 2008 and became a naturalized U.S. Citizen in 2021. While I am certain my lighter skin tone made my experience considerably easier than those of other migrants, I have felt the fear of being deported because something on the paperwork got screwed up. I have had to deal with the uncertainty of establishing a new life for oneself in an unfamiliar place. I know what it is to feel like you will never truly “belong” in the United States.
That said, let’s discuss this bullshit “immigration theater” thing Abbott and Desantis are currently up to.
I’ve heard some of the arguments that it’s actually good for these people that they are being transported to blue states because it means they will be more readily accepted by the locals and be in less danger than if they were living under the regressive and discriminatory policies that permeate much of the American South. And I’m sure for some of these people, it will be good. Especially those who may have family in northern states who can help them.
But I believe for many of them, ending up in D.C. and Massachusetts may be just as (or even more) of a challenge than if they ended up in Florida or Texas.
Beside, no matter where they end up, they still have to start from scratch. And that’s never an easy thing to do.
The main problem is this: Regardless of how being taken to northern states works out for these people, it is ETHICALLY AND MORALLY WRONG to use human beings as political props. Of course, this has been done throughout history and will continue to be done throughout history, but it’s still wrong.
And then there’s the fact these people were LIED TO about where they were going, why they were going there and what would happen to them when they got there. On top of that, the people behind this depraved stunt did not bother to call ANY official entities in either D.C. or Massachusetts to let them know what was happening. The migrants were also deprived of needed medical care. That is absolutely cruel and reckless.
Let’s not mince words here: To the Conservatives who were behind this, these migrants are disposable, expendable people they do not give one solitary shit about. Instead of being appalled at this like any sane human being would be, they are laughing, high-fiving each other and lining up to get their faces on Fox News so they can gloat about “owning the Libs”. And make no mistake: They are not going to stop with just these few plane loads of people. More are coming.
This kind of thing should NEVER HAPPEN IN AMERICA. I am aware immigration is complicated. I am aware taking care of migrants requires careful co-ordination between multiple interests. I am aware the immigration system in America is in need of repair.
But that is absolutely NOT an acceptable reason to use deceitful means to round up a bunch of people (most of whom are probably decent folks seeking a new life in this country and not criminals or rapists as the Conservatives would love to have you believe) and drop them off in some strange place just to try and piss off the folks who live there.
There’s never a good reason for that. PERIOD.
Not in any respectable, functioning society.
I believe the American spirit is still alive. I believe there are good people in this country. I believe most of us are better than this.
But I also believe the people behind this heinous stunt will never change.
And they should face consequences (at the ballot box and elsewhere) for what they have done.