Border Policy: Fact v. Myth

In mid-June I made this frustrated post on the internet:

With all the lies being streamed to justify family separation, it can be hard to keep hold of the truth. Yesterday, despite everything I’ve read, I had a moment of confusion about whether parents were being detained on criminal or misdemeanor charges.

Some reminders:
1) Seeking asylum is LEGAL.
2) Crossing the border between ports of entry is a MISDEMEANOR.
3) There is no law that requires family seperation. It is an unnecessary cruelty as of the “zero tolerance” POLICY issued in April.
4) Cruel and inhumane treatment of children and families for any reason is WRONG.
5) Unjust treatment of children and families for the purpose of sending a message of fear to others is WRONG.
6) Families belong together.
7) Children are not bargaining chips.

We are now one month on.

It’s mid-July, and (like many) I have continued to read and gather

Big River, Furious River: The Rio Grande

“The slow, muscular tug of that fabled river, the Rio Grande.”
–Lauren Markham, The Far Away Brothers

Found Poetry:

Río Grande, Big River‬
‪Río Grande del Norte, Great River of the North‬
‪Río Bravo, Furious River‬
‪Río Bravo del Norte, Furious River of the North
‪Hañapakwa (Towa), Great Waters
Tooh Baʼáadii (in Navajo), Female River‬

Children, advocating for themselves alone in court

WATCH “UNACCOMPANIED: Alone in America”

READ this article in the Texas Tribune by Christina Jewett and Shefali Luthra, published JUNE 27, 2018.

Immigrant toddlers ordered to appear in court alone: 
“As the White House faces court orders to reunite families separated at the border, immigrant children as young as 3 years old are being ordered into court for their own deportation proceedings,

Elizabeth Warren’s Account of the McAllen, TX Detention Center

“This isn’t about politics. This isn’t about Democrats or Republicans. This is about human beings. Children held in cages today. Babies scattered all over this country. And mamas who, in the dark of night, hear them cry.”
—Elizabeth Warren

This is her written account dated June 26th of what she witnessed in a McAllen, TX detention center Sunday, June 24th. It’s important that we read it, that we bear witness, that we remember it, and that we advocate and work for change.

The Journey Begins

With some of you, I must look in the eye and nod a bit sheepishly. Yes. We’ve been here before, you and I. Though not like this. Never quite like this.

You remember the time I spent the year reading through