August 29, 2019
The phrase “cruel and unusual punishment” is usually used in conversations about criminal sentencing. But this week, the Trump Administration made its usage appropriate in federal immigration policy by sending deportation letters to immigrant families who are living in the U.S. under the medical deferred action program.
The relatively unknown medical deferred action program allows families whose children are critically ill to stay in the U.S. while their children receive life-saving treatment that is not available in their home countries. Without warning, USCIS effectively issued death penalties to children whose only “crime” is needing the unique medical care they were brought here to receive. Cruel under any circumstance, but all in a month’s work for the Trump Administration which issued a final “public charge” rule on August 14 that forces immigrant families to choose between their chances at a green card and needed nutrition and healthcare.
The deportation letters stated that the families’ visas were not renewed or that their applications were denied. They were given 33 days to leave their homes in America or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) could “commence removal proceedings” against the families in immigration court.
The only response to this gross inhumanity is to raise our voices and demand the letters be rescinded, the visas be renewed, and disabled, seriously ill children can stay alive.
Call your Member of Congress.
Express your outrage.
Save lives.