ETA
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Several weeks ago, two different immigration attorneys whom I respect greatly communicated to me that they fully expect the administration to arrest immigration lawyers.
None of these people are given to hyperbole. In fact, one of the people this week, we had discussed things two months ago and said didnāt think there was any imminent danger.
The President issued an EO directly accusing immigration attorneys of helping clients perpetuate asylum fraud and directed the government to go after immigration attorneys.
I donāt even know how to process the idea that I need to consider becoming a refugee/go into exile because I zealously and ethically represent people in immigration court.
I donāt know how to process the idea that my using FB to try to illuminate our immigration system and help people know the truth might make me a target.
I donāt even know how to think about the merest chance that my country would act this way.
Itās hard to separate my fear from what is reality. Is my fear well grounded? Are we just on the mad side of paranoia to consider this as a real possibility ? I know many would conclude I should stock up on tin foil so my hat supply is enough. But I also think of the so many Jews in the 1930s who could never imagine their government really going after them and by the time they figured it out it was too late.
I am watching with ever growing concern our governmentās complete lawlessness in deporting Abrego Garcia to El Salvador. They even admit it was a mistake. But now they brazenly refuse to act to get him back, even when ordered to do so. And they refuse to give any answers to the Court.
I fully expect that they eventually tell the Court, well we tried, but we canāt force El Salvador to release him and we canāt force them to do so without endangering our foreign policy and national security.
And I wonder, if they are willing to defy a Court there, how safe am I really if Iām on the enemies list just because I do my job or because I try to help people understand our immigration system and laws and policies?
As a follower of Jesus, I know that ultimately God is with me no matter what. But that does not mean he magically stops bad things being done to me.
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Frederick Douglass, 1869:
"I have said that the Chinese will come, and have given some reasons why we may expect them in very large numbers in no very distant future.
Do you ask, if I favor such immigration, I answer I would. Would you have them naturalized, and have them invested with all the rights of American citizenship? I would. Would you allow them to vote? I would. Would you allow them to hold office? I would.
But are there not reasons against all this? Is there not such a law or principle as that of self-preservation? Does not every race owe something to itself? Should it not attend to the dictates of common sense? Should not a superior race protect itself from contact with inferior ones? Are not the white people the owners of this continent? Have they not the right to say, what kind of people shall be allowed to come here and settle? Is there not such a thing as being more generous than wise? In the effort to promote civilization may we not corrupt and destroy what we have? Is it best to take on board more passengers than the ship will carry?
To all of this and more I have one among many answers, together satisfactory to me, though I cannot promise that it will be so to you.
I submit that this question of Chinese immigration should be settled upon higher principles than those of a cold and selfish expediency.
There are such things in the world as human rights. They rest upon no conventional foundation, but are external, universal, and indestructible. Among these, is the right of locomotion; the right of migration; the right which belongs to no particular race, but belongs alike to all and to all alike. It is the right you assert by staying here, and your fathers asserted by coming here. It is this great right that I assert for the Chinese and Japanese, and for all other varieties of men equally with yourselves, now and forever. I know of no rights of race superior to the rights of humanity, and when there is a supposed conflict between human and national rights, it is safe to go to the side of humanity. I have great respect for the blue eyed and light haired races of America. They are a mighty people. In any struggle for the good things of this world they need have no fear. They have no need to doubt that they will get their full share.
But I reject the arrogant and scornful theory by which they would limit migratory rights, or any other essential human rights to themselves, and which would make them the owners of this great continent to the exclusion of all other races of men.
I want a home here not only for the negro, the mulatto and the Latin races; but I want the Asiatic to find a home here in the United States, and feel at home here, both for his sake and for ours.
Right wrongs no man."
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Finally.
The one thing I havenāt seen, that would shut down the conspiracy theories, is proof of life. Even if itās a terrible one, just show us heās still there.
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Maybe we need another thread titled āEven with papers - drama of those detained by ICEā
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It is difficult in some cases to get to the very heart of the matter. But in this case, it is not hard at all. The government is asserting a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process that is the foundation of our constitutional order. Further, it claims in essence that because it has rid itself of custody that there is nothing that can be done.
This should be shocking not only to judges, but to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear.
[ā¦]
In sum, and for the reasons foregoing, we deny the motion for the stay pending appeal and the writ of mandamus in this case. It is so ordered.
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This is fucking terrifying. I, as a straight white dude, find this terrifying. What must the rest of the citizens of this country who do not share that privilege feel? Holy shit, we are fucking going warp-speed to the final solution.
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Sureā¦ feel free to start one! There have been several other US citizens whoāve gotten letters from ICE, tooā¦
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