Caravan crisis at the border: it's complicated
SAN DIEGO -- Hola from the front row of the caravan crisis. The U.S.-Mexico border is just 17 miles from America's Finest City. So here are 17 observations:
-- From perches in New York and Washington, the liberal media showed again how little they know about immigration when some commentators claimed, after the election, that the caravan was fake news. It's here.
-- Conservatives are so eager to dismiss the idea that these arrivals from Central America are seeking asylum that they pounce whenever one of them says in an interview that they're actually coming to work. Remember when those on the right used to say they wanted immigrants to work?
-- When entering a foreign country, a little humility goes a long way. Many of the refugees have been on their best behaviors. Others threw rocks and tossed tear gas canisters back to the border patrol agents who fired them. We have enough homegrown arrogance, belligerence and entitlement in the United States, we don't need to import more of those things.
-- Who knew that border hawks are so easily distracted by non-issues? Many are fixated on the fact that so many members of the caravan are not women and children but young men. So what? Does that mean they are any less in need of refuge?
-- It is not a good idea for immigrant advocates to downplay allegations of rock throwing by caravan members. It's a real act of violence, and a real threat that has for years resulted in Border Patrol agents being wounded and, in some cases,
permanently blinded by border crossers.
-- It's not productive for anti-immigrant forces to blame migrant parents for putting their children in harm's way. As opposed to what? Staying in Honduras, Guatemala or El Salvador so their children could be harmed, or killed, there?
-- According to media reports, there was an argument in the White House over whether to allow U.S. troops on the border to use "lethal force." Those opposed: Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, and her predecessor, chief of staff John Kelly. That is, folks who understand the border.
-- President Trump's threat to "close the border" if Mexico doesn't keep the Central Americans south of the Rio Grande is hot air. Forget that closing down a nearly 2,000-mile border might be illegal. The real snag: It's not possible.
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