Mr. Lara deported

I’m going by an article in the New York Times from June 19 about Mexican farmworkers in Willard, Ohio.  People there had planned a welcome back party for returning farmworkers, but in the atmosphere of Trump’s America, some residents objected.  Some of the returning workers do not have proper papers.  One Vietnam vet said “We are still waiting for our welcome-home party.”  (My personal view is that it is soon time to close down that pity party.)

The article, by Miriam Jordan, discussed how farmers in that area of Ohio were about to loss millions of dollars worth of crops, since there was no one there to harvest therm.

The article also discussed the case of Mr. Lara, an immigrant who arrived in Willard in 2002, fell in love with another Mexican immigrant, bought a house, and had four children, Eric, 13, Edwin, 11, Anuar, 10, and Elsiy, 6.  In 2008 he was pulled over on the way to the dentist.  He had no driver’s license, which Ohio does not give to undocumented residents, and he was jailed.  He was ordered deported in 2011, but he was granted a reprieve because he was otherwise law-abiding.

He had to check in with ICE every year to renew his permit.  In January the Trump administration announced that no one in the country illegally was exempt from deportation.  On March 28, when he arrived for his annual check-in, he was fitted with an electronic tracking device.  

He had letters from employers and teachers supporting his “stay of removal.”  However, Timothy Ward, an ICE field director, wrote, “I have determined that pursuing removal of Mr. Lara Lopez is consistent with enforcement priorities.”

He was ordered to buy an airline ticket to Mexico.  His date for removal was yesterday.

Let’s examine this.  If you take a “strict parent” approach to politics, you will says, “Mr. Lara broke the law.  He is illegal.  We need to set an example.  Send him packing.”

If you follow the “nurturing parent” approach to politics, you will say, “This is a model American.  Bought a house.  Has a job.  Is raising a family.  Let him stay.”

I wonder what you would say if you were a Christian following the teaching of Jesus Christ?  I think I will write to Congressman Lou Barletta and ask him.