Letters

This letter is in response to “Fix the Problem” [Letters, August 28]: President Donald Trump campaigned on fixing “the immigration problem,” a serious issue that has persisted in our country for years under past administrations, both Republican and Democratic. So when a bipartisan-supported Immigration Border Security Bill was on the table in the Senate in early 2024, why did Trump interfere and have it blocked?

A Senate bipartisan-supported Immigration Border Security Bill at our fingertips in 2024 would have been great for our country, but not so great for Trump. It would have challenged his presidential campaign. Trump didn’t want it. He needed “the immigration problem” then, as he still needs it today. Trump wants “the immigration problem,” as it gives him an opportunity to look tough, and continue to feed the fears of many.

And let’s be clear: To “fix” “the immigration problem” now, Trump is not deporting illegal and dangerously “criminal” immigrants. Trump is “disappearing” persons from our communities who may be illegal immigrants, or perhaps are legal immigrants, who may or may not be guilty of any crime, and he is shipping these persons to various foreign prisons without due process, a constitutional right of every person in the United States of America today. The Fifth and 14th amendments of our Constitution state plainly, “No person shall … be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.”

John Porta stated, “Surely there will be sad and heartbreaking stories” — and this past Sunday of Labor Day weekend, Trump attempting to send 600 unaccompanied Guatemalan children (10 to 17 years old) on a plane back to Guatemala, with little notice and no hearing, is sad and heartbreaking.

When did we become such a cold and heartless nation to stand by and allow such an action, so that Trump can say he is fixing “the immigration problem”? These children were in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement. Some were in the process of immigration hearings. The Trump administration says this is a “pilot program” to reunite families, but many of the children’s representatives disagree.

What is the truth? We shall see — but why were these children being sent with little notice and no hearings? And on a Sunday of a holiday weekend? Why are the appropriate legal procedures not being followed?

Thankfully, one judge was available to halt/delay this action, so that it can be reviewed to be sure the law is being followed.

We must respect our democracy and the laws and rights that all persons have in this country under our Constitution. Updating our immigration laws, finally, would be a great achievement.

What we are witnessing now is not that.

Mary Pellicane

Remsenburg