Internment in America

Megan Izen

Internment in America

I want to thank Joe Arpaio. He puts the proper face on sadistic anti-immigrant groups across the country. The Maricopa County Sheriff has brought the issue of immigration and inhumane detention centers to the forefront. Placing over two-hundred immigrant detainees in a Tent City, segregating them from US born incarcerated people, he has exposed our modern day internment camps.

Since 9/11, thousands upon thousands of immigrants have been detained and deported. Arpaio has illuminated detention centers for what they really are by erecting his Tent City since we don’t usually get to see them. Obama is closing Gitmo and secret prisons around the world, but what about here at home? We won’t restore our respect from the global community until we start addressing our own human rights violations. There’s a glimmer of hope with today’s court ruling that a class action lawsuit against Arpaio for abuses last year will proceed. Putting an end to the dehumanization of immigrants and creating real solutions for just immigration reform are critical to repairing our broken nation.

Posted at 12:06 PM, Feb 11, 2009 in Immigration | Permalink | View Comments

Comments

Joe Arpaio discharges his duties under the guise of "law and order." However, I think it's far from that. With his constant smirk and self-satsified attitude he only appeals to those in our society who think that immigrants are bad and people of color should be feared. However, the reality is that Arapaio and his ilk are the true bottom-feeders.

What I don't understand is how long will it take the people of Maricopa County to see this nut-job for who he really is and realize that he is weaving a very dangerous and destructive thread through the fabric of their lives.