Families Belong Together

by MARLEN OLMEDO

Despite recent waves of frustration with the mishandling of family separations occurring in the southern border, the federal government agreed to reunite nearly 2,000 minors with their families by July 27th. The deadline has passed and the Trump administration has reported progress with 1,412 children on the path to family unity. Although deemed a success, this is yet another example of our federal governing struggling to prevent another humanitarian crisis in the border.

It all started with a viral image during the Obama administration of children laying inside immigration detention cells covered with, what appeared to be, Mylar aluminum blankets. This moment referred back to April 2017 when U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a “Zero-Tolerance Policy” which, “Prohibits both attempted illegal entry and illegal entry into the United States by an alien.” It also granted each U.S. Attorney’s Office the ability to “prosecute all Department of Homeland Security referrals.”

Those in opposition to the policy argue that separation of families will continue and that both parents and children will be prosecuted as criminals. Those in favor of the policy argue that this approach will secure the border and control a "historic influx of illegal alien border crossers."

In response, outrage sparked from Hollywood to Washington, DC. June was full of demonstrations all over the nation. The Families Belong Together movement was started by Shannon McClain, a marketing specialist from New York who created a team and decided it was time to stand up for current immigration policies. This movement reached almost 700 cities all over the United States—even Utah. From Utah State University, to nearly 2,000 participants in Salt Lake City, to St. George, thousands of Utahns joined a local rally.

What makes Utah special is when the community is in danger, everyone steps in to lend a helping hand. This often involves setting aside partisanship and political agendas to look at the situation from multiple perspectives. Utah's Attorney General Sean Reyes, along with Utah's congressional delegation, have urged change in a flawed immigration system. It will ultimately come down to them.

Read about Dreamers in Utah and find a snapshot of what Utah's immigration looks like today.