Two stories crossed my desk recently that remind me what consequences the United States’ bureaucratic immigration process has on humans. First there is the case of Diane Williams, who was recently deported to Honduras following her drug-related arrest in the United States. Although not a model citizen, Ms. Williams is a U.S. Citizen. Despite her claims, the government still deported her to Honduras -where she remained for three months until she was able to prove her citizenship. Imagine being sent to a foreign country for three months because of a U.S. Government mistake?
The second story involves 4 year-old Wesal Adam. A Sudanese child, both of her parents were granted asylum by the United States Government. Nevertheless, Wesal was not granted asylum because she was born after her parents were granted asylum. Because of U.S. policy, Wesal Adam was forced to live in Darfur and apart from her parents for nearly most of her life. Luckily for Wesal, the U.S. Government finally determined that she would be allowed into the United States on humanitarian grounds.
As Comprehensive Immigration Reform is discussed in the government, lets hope that our Congressional leaders remember the possible consequences when policy becomes too bureaucratic.