Christine Smith's Blog

Chertoff’s “Progress” Against Illegal Immigrants (& Recommendation of a Moving Drama Well Illustrating It)

A couple nights ago I watched a most interesting and poignant drama. “The Visitor” is the story of a college professor (played by Richard Jenkins) whose life is changed by his meeting of a young couple (a man from Syria, and lady from Sengal, Africa) and the young Syrian’s mother, all of whom are in this country illegally. The drama unfolds as a friendship develops between the four and strengthens as the professor learns firsthand of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy.

Without giving too much of the plot away, I’ll say that for me, the most moving scene was when the professor is in the ICE detention facility waiting room, alone, and begins expressing his righteous indignation at the entire cold system. A system where bureaucratic policy (enforcing wrongful law, in my opinion) wreaks havoc on lives through its disrespect and disregard for the human being (who is treated like an object – a number) once arrested and incarcerated as a detainee. As a result, families are torn apart as loved ones face the inhuman system.

This film portrays an excellent depiction of the plight facing our brothers and sisters who are working and who have (sometimes for years) made a life in this nation. View this film for a human perspective on the repercussions of the current immigration law and the way it is enforced (arrests, detention, deportation).

From the ICE website: “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities,” and “(ICE) partners with individuals, businesses and state, local and federal agencies in order to offer the most powerful protection within our homeland, ” and “(ICE) the largest investigative agency in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has achieved extraordinary results in its mission to ensure a safer, more secure America.”

I found it interesting that Homeland Security Secretary (and co-author of the USA Patriot Act) Michael Chertoff during his “State of Immigration Address” (June 9, 2008), used the word “progress” multiple times…

“…first our continued progress at the border…
…In each area you will see clear evidence of our progress…
…we are going to continue to post on our web site on the metrics of our progress…
…actually had them observe with approval a lot of the progress…
…that while showing progress…
…made a dramatic amount of progress….
…they’ve been making progress…”

reminding me of Bush’s frequent use of the word “progress” about his war in Iraq and his “war against terror.” Hearing those such as Bush and Chertoff overuse a word such as “progress” is a clear example of their protesting too much, leading me to believe quite the opposite of what they so fervently wish to convince people of.

ICE is, in my opinion, but another huge bureaucratic, unnecessary, costly and dangerous arm of the federal government, exploiting the fear of the American people to justify its existence, its enormous “budget,” and its power.

Americans have much to be seriously concerned about. Just one example: internal Homeland Security checkpoints set up under the Customs and Border Protection agency with vehicle checkpoints “usually located 25 to 75 miles inland from the border.” Read some CBP propaganda such as its proud boasting about their Falfurrias, Texas checkpoint (one of three checkpoints in the Border Patrol’s Rio Grande sector) as “A ‘Star’ Border Patrol Checkpoint, ” with emphasis on such such things as what a “good neighbor” agents are to the community, and the number of illegal aliens apprehended and value of seized conveyances.

I’m one who doesn’t want to see “progress” in what has become a war against immigrants. I disagree with the increase of arrests and deportations of people who harmed none, but are simply looking to create a more prosperous and fulfilling life. Frankly, I believe the only thing wrong with “illegal immigration” is the imposition of “illegality” on a natural human desire to move to the place you desire and create the best life you can for yourself and family. It is the inherent dream we all share and which we all have a right to try and realize.

Regardless of your current position on the immigration issue, I highly recommend “The Visitor” to you. You may view the film’s trailer, read reviews, and obtain the dvd at its Amazon page.