The deaths of 10 migrants, found inside a tractor-trailer in a Walmart parking lot in San Antonio this weekend, is a human tragedy.
Apparently, immigration hardliners believe that no tragedy should go to waste.
ICE Acting Director Thomas Homan stated:
Those folks that want to turn a blind eye to illegal immigration, this is what happens. [Homan also cast blame at so-called “sanctuary” cities, noting] I wish these jurisdictions would work with us, wish they (would) think about the decisions they’re making … They’re enticing people to come and find refuge in their city. This is not the America that should be. We didn’t enforce the laws without apology and we need to take the magnet away.
And Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick stated:
Sanctuary cities entice people to believe they can come to America and Texas and live outside the law. Sanctuary cities also enable human smugglers and cartels. Today, these people paid a terrible price and demonstrate why we need a secure border and legal immigration reform so we can control who enters our country.
According to Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice Education Fund:
What a horrific tragedy. Human beings who were seeking work and safety so that they could care for their families, instead found themselves trapped in what amounted to an oven. Instead of mourning the dead, people like Homan and Patrick exploit the tragedy to score political points. Migrants risk their lives because some cities want all of their residents to report crimes and serve as witnesses? Dishonest and disgusting. Migrants risk their lives because of push and pull factors that have everything to do with violence, poverty, jobs and families, and nothing to do with urban public safety policies. This country deserves an immigration debate that connects the dots between development and opportunity in home countries, safe and legal migration policies and intelligent immigrant integration policies. What it doesn’t need are hardliners shamelessly politicizing a tragedy.
