Its Against The Law

I've been back in town for a few hours after an incredible weekend up in Mystic, CT (I highly recommend it for a weekend if you live nearby or are in the Northeast)......only to come back to reality and the news that encompasses it. One such story out of the multitude is that of Elvira Arellano. Elvira had been staying in a sanctuary in Chicago to stay out of the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement that wants to send her back to Mexico to carry out deportation orders. She came out to speak at a rally in Los Angeles, only to find herself being arrested and facing imminent deportation.

From The San Jose Mercury News:

Elvira Arellano, who arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday after leaving her sanctuary to campaign for immigration reform, was arrested around 1:30 p.m. outside Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church where she had been speaking to reporters, said the Rev. Walter Coleman, pastor of Adalberto United Methodist, the Chicago church.

Arellano was "being processed for removal to Mexico based upon a deportation order originally issued by a federal immigration judge in 1997," U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a news release.

Immigration activists promised protests and vigils to support her.

"We are sad, but at the same time we are angry," said Javier Rodriguez, a Chicago immigration activist who worked with her. "How dare they arrest this woman?"

"How dare they" is right. Elvira has been fighting for rights, both for herself and many in similar situations. She came to this country over ten years ago to work for a better life. Many people out there think that her deportation is not only following the law, but justified because she had eluded authorities for so long.

Since she has principles, speaking out in Los Angeles was the right thing to do. There is so much to be done and if her voice can help, then Ms. Arellano will step up. Now her activism is going to lead to deportation, no matter how many vigils we hold. The problem is that the "law" is a regressive measure that impedes the way America truly works. So many people want to come here to better their lives as Elvira was once doing. Now she is going to have to pay a price.

Yet what about the people that hire her? What happens to them? Why do they get away with paying ultra-low wages to undocumented workers while the bosses get rich from lower bottom lines. It is time to address the real issues here. People need to put down their hate for others who look "different" from the average WASP. America was founded and brought to glory on the backs of immigrants. Yet somehow there are so many out there that forget that integral piece of our history.

The law is the law, but it needs to be changed, so we can continue to be the country we know and love.