Liberal Clergy Have Found Their Voice


Rounding up and shipping out undocumented people in the U.S. sounds like a sure-fire political formula. Going back to slavery days black people were the undesirables. It was the Japanese Americans, the Germans, gays, trans and now the undocumented. Trump called for those with criminal records but anyone else is game also. The opportunity is there always to demonize some group for political gain.

Other groups, like liberal clergy, can gain influence and power by resisting this demonization. That is happening. 

A smaller round happened in Postville, Iowa in 2008. A kosher meat processing plant was raided and several hundred immigrant workers hauled off to a cattle area for processing. Several were parents and had no opportunity to see their children or make arrangements for their care. The toll on the community was severe. The plant closed and many residents were left destitute. As I recall, a decision was made that some different technic would be used in the future. 

So far as I can tell, a sweeping blanket declaration of full citizenship to all people now in the U.S. without citizenship would cost nothing and provide national benefits. Rounding them up for deportation and jail is filled with cost and problems. This would provide a window of time to debate what should be done in the future. The number of people now entering has fallen so maybe the solution is at hand.

Major parts of the Catholic Church has also protested the roundup. I don't have much confidence this group will continue to pressure the Trump Administration but it would be good if this happened.  

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