A series in which we (will aspire to) offer a sampling of today’s headlines on immigration, race, and related stories.
September 4, 2018
The Strike:
Detainees at GEO Group’s Northwest Detention Center join nationwide prison strikes, entering 9th day of hunger strikes. Outside protesters quoted one GEO “guest” as saying: “I’m going to go all the way because I’m going to get killed if I get deported. I’m sick anyway and they don’t want to give me medical care. So who cares anymore? I’d rather just die here.”
Related: Lawsuit filed by detainees in Britain reveals Home Office ministers endorsing £1/hour “slave labor” pay rate.
The Fallout:
Salvadoran government alleges three minors subjected to sexual abuse in Arizona shelters while separated from parents.
The People:
From NYT: “Photographs That Humanize the Immigration Debate.”
Rob Tibbetts, father of Iowa murder victim, writes op-ed insisting his daughter stop being used as a “pawn” in immigration debates and offers apology to Hispanic community:
“At her eulogy, I said Mollie was nobody’s victim. Nor is she a pawn in others’ debate. She may not be able to speak for herself, but I can and will. Please leave us out of your debate. Allow us to grieve in privacy and with dignity. At long last, show some decency. On behalf of my family and Mollie’s memory, I’m imploring you to stop…
“To the Hispanic community, my family stands with you and offers its heartfelt apology. That you’ve been beset by the circumstances of Mollie’s death is wrong. We treasure the contribution you bring to the American tapestry in all its color and melody.”
The Wall:
With Republican majority in the House under threat, “immigration hard-liners inside the White House” (aka Stephen Miller) are pushing Trump to trigger government shut-down over border wall funding, thus placing the Republican majority in the House under even greater threat.
States see up to 20% drop in WIC enrollment due to proposed federal rule change that would prohibit enrollees from becoming citizens.
Related: Great piece laying out how Trump’s policies on immigration create a “virtual wall.”
The Activists:
Activist group erects giant “ICE cage” at Burning Man festival.
The World:
Neo-Nazi and other far-right groups continue massive anti-immigration demonstrations. Nine injured in this week’s round of protests. Ten criminal investigations opened for violations of Germany’s prohibition of Nazi salutes and swastikas. Officials from multiple parties call for surveillance of far-right AfD party. The German foreign minister chastises citizens for taking democracy “for granted.”
The Government(s):
California passes bill outlawing immigration arrests in courthouses (after this happened.)
State Department responds to WaPo report on passports denied, citizens detained at the border.
Department of Homeland Security defying Supreme Court decision that prohibits deportation of immigrants whose NTAs lacked time/date/location (which is pretty much all of them).
Further coverage of the unusually high number of white nationalists in the Trump administration.
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