How America’s Immigration Laws And 287(g) Tear At Our Seams

I have known Zak for close to ten years, and the majority of my encounters with him have been at community service-oriented events. Zak was a model immigrant: he saved lives as an EMT, spent many of his weekends feeding Hudson County’s homeless population, and helped raise over $100,000 for clean water in disadvantaged areas of the world. During Ramadan, he was a regular volunteer at a Jersey City mosque, where he helped direct traffic during peak hours. Zak could be seen at college events, either in attendance or busily helping with set-up. Yet still, despite his good, hardworking, peaceful, nonviolent, immigrant image he was not spared the cruelty of America’s immigration system or Hudson County’s participation in the 287(g) program. Being a model immigrant did not save him. Although ICE claims that the 287(g) program makes communities safer by weeding out “dangerous” immigrants, it is people like Zak who have been and will continue to be swept up in between. So long as Hudson County continues its participation in the 287(g) program, we will continue to lose valuable and well-loved community members.

Article source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-americas-immigration-laws-and-287g-tear-at-our_us_5908c761e4b03b105b44bc8f?section=us_new-york