1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

I am a mother of two school-age children, a teacher, and a proud member of my community in Waukesha, Wisconsin. I am outraged at the aggression being shown towards immigration by our president and policies at this moment. Our systems of immigration have been a mess for some time, and absolutely need thoughtful revision. However, instead of approaching this issue in a way that is best for America and best for all people, the president is showing his desire to attack the vulnerable and twist laws for his own agenda. He is spending tremendous effort and money to round up individuals and families, most of whom have little money, little recourse to work through our tangled system in place to become a citizen, and little opportunity to have a voice. The recent request to call up thousands of National Guard troops to add to the already increasing military use for deportations is an unacceptable use of our troops. He is causing fear, panic, and pain among those who cannot fight back. He is labeling them en masse as criminals, when the vast majority are not. Pulling up old laws meant to be used in wartime such as the Alien and Sedition Acts and twisting them for his own agenda is not acceptable. Deporting people without due process and on scant or no evidence is not acceptable. This is not my America. My America would be working to get reasonable systems in place for those people and families already here, already working hard, already with places and connections in our communities to become citizens. My America does not dismiss these people as garbage and toss them out. My America has due process for all people here, established for the protection of us all. This is not acceptable on any level. This is not the image of America that I want out in the world, or the national identity that I wish to pass down to my children. Speak up now, loudly, for those with no voice. Speak up for me and your other constituents who have a very different value system and treasured idea of America than these policies reflect.