Yesterday, on MLK Day, a 39-year-old immigrant and resident of metro Detroit was deported to Mexico. Jorge Garcia had kids and had lived in the US for 30 years, brought to America from Mexico when he was 10 years old. Photos and video of the tearful good-bye are trending on the Internet, and many are outraged. That, I witnessed first-hand.
People I know and respect often show a side I don’t particularly care for when it comes to opinions posted on social media. When I read the vitriol, I stew in my computer chair wanting so badly to say something… anything… to let them know I’m so very disappointed. But I don’t.
Those who disagree with opinions are often called out and ridiculed, and I am my father’s daughter. I can fake a smile like a pro and I try to keep controversial opinions to myself — even when “compassionate” and “well-meaning” people are ugly to another whose opinion doesn’t align with theirs.
It made me sad that Jorge was deported and that his family will suffer his loss. It’s a shame he’s being sent back to a country he doesn’t know. Maybe the law that says he’s too old to qualify for DACA needs to be changed… but until then, it’s a law. I also have compassion for children left behind when a father is arrested for drunk driving, but there’s a law against doing that too and a price to pay if it’s broken.
I don’t know why Jorge didn’t get a green card and apply for US citizenship over the past 30 years any more than I know why some solely blame “Racist Trump’s ICE thugs.” I just know that it doesn’t feel right to me when those who preach love, acceptance and compassion don’t apply those attributes across the board.
I’ll just go back to my happy place and ‘unfollow’ some Facebook friends — even though I truly celebrate their successes and love hearing about their families — when I can weed through the hate.
