President Trump’s hard-hitting “zero-tolerance” policy on immigration has soured my outlook on this administration, especially since it involves the separation of children from their parents after crossing into the United States. These children are then sent to “detention centers” without anyone they know to help them understand what is happening and why. These small children, some not even out of diapers are made to appear in court without a parent. I have watched as people are arrested for trying to deliver toys to help comfort these frightened children and all I can do is shake my head with tears in my eyes. I can only imagine how terrified these children must feel as they are brought into a courtroom, which isn’t looking out for the best interest of the child.

There are so many questions running through my mind. Who is caring for these children? Does anyone comfort them when they miss their parents? How are their days spent? But mostly, why use this method as a punishment for crossing the border? Many of these children may never remember going through this, at least I hope, but I  am sure it has scarred them in some way.

As a mother, I feel for these parents as they try to go about finding their children. I read an article saying the US government is offering DNA testing in hopes of reuniting these children with their parents, but at the expense of the parents. Many people come to the United States in hopes of becoming free and safe from wars, famine, and poverty. I am sure many of these families do not have the money needed to pay lawyer’s fees as well as a DNA test. Homeland reported that 2,342 children were separated at the border from 2,206 adults from May 5^th to June  9^th. Many of the children that were separated from their parents were under the age of four. Under the age of four! I understand that most of the adults are awaiting a court date and are being detained, which is one of the “reasons” for the separation, but I am sure our government could find a way to house these families as they wait.

Jeff Sessions defends this horrific policy by quoting a biblical passage from the Apostle Paul to the Romans: “I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of order.” He also goes on to say, “Orderly and lawful processes are good in themselves and protect the weak and lawful.” I guess Sessions missed the part where Jesus tells his disciples to let all the children through to see and talk to him. I disagree with Sessions since these are man-made laws and have nothing to do with protecting the weak, such as small children. This is scarily along the lines of Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid,” which makes me question the direction our nation is taking.

After many organized protests, President Trump finally signed an executive order on June 20^th that directs Homeland to keep families together after they are detained, but I am sure President Trump will keep on with his hateful tweets regarding immigrants and other countries. America was built on the backs of immigrants through their hard work, sweat, tears, and unfailing determination to build a better life for their families. Instead of trying to make America great again, I think we need to work on our humanity.