By JZ
Besides killing all those innocent people, if I was to blame Osama bin Laden for one other thing, it would be that he made getting into the US a pain in the ass.
Ever since 9/11 – and increased immigration from Mexico because of the North American Free Trade Agreement – the US border patrol has made entering the US about as fun as a rectal exam.
But this isn’t about people being assholes or just playing with yours. It’s systematic.
Take a look at the mission and values statement for the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection:
We are the guardians of our Nation’s borders.
We are America’s frontline.
We safeguard the American homeland
at and beyond our borders.
We protect the American public against terrorist
and the instruments of terror.
We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States
while fostering our Nation’s economic security
through lawful international trade and travel.
We serve the American public with
vigilance, integrity and professionalism.
Furthermore, their values statement reads like a church manifesto:
Vigilance is how we ensure the safety of all Americans. We are continuously watchful and alert to deter, detect and prevent threats to our Nation. We demonstrate courage and valor in the protection of our Nation.
Service to Country is embodied in the work we do. We are dedicated to defending and upholding the Constitution of the United States. The American people have entrusted us to protect the homeland and defend liberty.
Integrity is our cornerstone. We are guided by the highest ethical and moral principles. Our actions bring honor to ourselves and our agency.
Most notably, neither of these statements acknowledges that the people coming through the border are entitled to be treated with honor, dignity, respect and a bit of American kindness.
Sure, I have met some wonderful folks working on the front lines of America. And occasionally, I might even get a smile out of them.
But their steadfast enforcement of US laws is to steadfastly keeping families apart. To keep love apart. And what’s the point of protecting a country if it refuses to protect humanity’s most beautiful, elegant emotion?
It makes me wonder why anyone would want to come here in the first place.
Of course, I know why we come here – or why I came back. Because despite all of our complaints, despite the soul-sucking dominance of corporations, despite the suspension of civil rights that began after World War 2 and solidified on September 11th, you can accomplish a lot here. You can create bubble communities that suit your needs and values. But the tighter the border, the harder it is for those positive reasons to survive.
It’s choking American innovation. It’s choking our reputation as a nation of immigrants. The mission and values for today’s Custom and Border patrol contrasts sharply with the mission and values embossed on the side of the Statue of Liberty:
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
Either take that plaque off the side of Lady Liberty, or update the mission of the Custom and Border Protection.
Otherwise, it’s false advertising.
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