I am not an expat. I am an immigrant to Mexico, which is defined as someone who comes to live permanently in a country not of their birth.
I immigrated to Mexico from the United States 28 years ago and was welcomed by this country and its people. I was given opportunities to study and work, to establish myself in the community, to make friends and create a wonderful life for myself. I was not fleeing a war-torn country or a military dictatorship. I was not starving or abused. My life was not at risk. But I was white, and that gave me all the advantages in the world.
This blog is not a political forum, but what is happening right now on the border between Mexico and the United States cannot be ignored. The separation of thousands of children from their parents was a monumental and stomach-turning violation of human rights, and anyone who turned a blind-eye was as guilty as those who were implementing this hideous policy.
Although the U.S. government yielded to the will of the American people and global moral outrage, thousands of children are still not with their parents and those that are can only be incarcerated for no more than 20 days. The policy unknowns and continuing criminal internments of families seeking asylum in the United States are unconscionable and staining the moral leadership of America.
Here are some things that you can do to help now and hopefully prevent more immoral policies and actions in the future by the United States government.
1. Donate to Support the Legal Fight. Here are some organizations that are trying to help:
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
I donated through ActBlue, which divides the donation among 12 different organizations, and I am a monthly contributor to the ACLU.
2. Foster a child if you are able. There are religious and other organizations working to help find foster families for these children.
3. Contact the politicians in your state – on both sides of the aisle. Let them know how you feel and how you are going to vote come November.
4. March. On June 30, 2018 there are marches being organized throughout the country – check the news for protests in your area.
Most importantly, vote. Elections have consequences, which, sadly, we have been witnessing.
