VICTIMS

There are victims everywhere. You probably know some; surely you have heard of some in your social circle. The media devote considerable space to people who have had dire things thrust upon them, often suddenly, but all were powerless to forestall the cruel event. We even know about people who were victims of their own stupidity (lots and lots of them), but this is a special category that seems not to deserve our commiseration. “He made his bed now let him lie in it.” We often look for a victim's foolishness as a way of not feeling bad. “She should have known better,” and we wipe our hands of responsibility.

We have another, a special class of victims in our society who had no responsibility for their plight but who are denied what ethically and morally is a basic right. They are the children of illegal aliens, or undocumented workers if you prefer. Parents would sneak across our Mexican border to try to establish a better life for themselves and drag their children with them. The children had no say in the matter. “Get dressed, we're going to America,” or some such was the instruction and off they went.

Well, the parents were wrong to avoid their responsibility. The Egyptians and other north Africans have revolted and change is their prize. Coming here they strengthen the Mexican government and keep themselves in limbo. But, that's a different issue. Their children grow up in this country, in this society and many of them flourish. Some, clearly a significant number do well in school and have the desire to get a college education. Why not? They essentially American kids. If not born here they yet satisfy the other criteria for an American identity. But, while college is not officially denied to them, they do not qualify as citizens of Colorado, they are here illegally and are deportable at the whim of ICE. They are not eligible for Colorado resident tuition. Their parents typically lack the resources to pay full tuition for their children who otherwise would be desirable college students.

Are they victims? Of course. Through no fault of their own they have become illegal Americans and thus have no legitimate status. But, they are Americans, surely we can pass a law which would de-victimize them. Well, we could, but we don't because there are those who insist they are here illegally and must not be considered human beings. The concern is that providing relief to such kids would entice other parents to sneak into the country and that would compound the problem. We must not, so they argue, give in a fraction of an inch less we encourage an even larger deluge of illegals.

Well, maybe so, but it would be nice if they could provide some acceptable data to buttress their position. They just say “NO,” as if a message received from God has fixed them in their position. But, this is not an issue of data and statistics. We are in a struggle about our humanity. It is inhumane to deny these illegal Americans their basic right to attempt a better future. It is inhumane to insist that they must be punished for the sins of their parents. They surely are not Mexicans, except for a legal fiction; this is their home and how can we deny them that reality?

We are losing the struggle. Water boarding, clearly torture, will never face a legal challenge, the criminals will never face justice. Guantanamo has left us with a blot on our moral stance that will remain in our history . . . unless our history books manage not to tell the stories. The separation between church and state is slowly crumbling and you can win money betting the
Supreme Court will declare the health care bill unconstitutional. And the NRA insists that government wants to confiscate all guns . . . and no one has the courage to laugh at that absurdity.

The last I heard about the Dream Act designed to relieve the victim kids of their illegal American status, it was in the state House of Representatives. What chance is there? None

There was many an illegal kid

Based on nothing that they ever did.

But the inhuman fools

Who keep them out of schools

If only we could them forbid.