Former Aberdeen mayor Levsen: Our government’s cruel treatment of good people brings shame to the nation every day
Keeping up with the news is often discouraging, angering, and frustrating. Now, it’s also truly saddening. Real people, real lives, real suffering.
Every day brings news of ICE raids, deportations, court cases and back-and-forth arguments about immigrants.
Obscured by all the politics is the reality of this unnecessary, intentional demonization of good neighbors living among us. It’s a sad and regrettable cruelty imposed on families just trying to do the best they can, and individuals who do so much for the country.
Those who have not been arrested are forced to live in fear of their lives being torn apart at any time. It’s heartbreaking to see and we can’t stop it. The policy is designed to punish and intimidate.
These performative arrests involve heavily armed, masked enforcers all decked out in riot gear (and hair extenders as needed, I guess). They aggressively invade homes, schools, work sites — rarely in connection with an actual crime.
Millions who are not legal residents are productive, law abiding, essential contributors to the country. The multitude of positive effects on our nation overwhelmingly outweighs any negatives.
They work, pay taxes, send kids to school, attend church, start businesses, and have an irreplaceable impact. Most have been here for five, 10 or more years, living their lives as part of our economy and society.
Sweeping descriptions label immigrant groups as monsters, murderers, rapists, kidnappers, sex criminals, child molesters. “Scumbags” was the hate word chosen by our former governor. Our president ignorantly labels some asylum seekers as escapees from insane asylums.
These incorrectly broad insults are believed by those who want to believe. They wave signs saying “mass deportations now.”
Do these MAGA members ever admit “most immigrants don’t commit any crimes”? No.
We do know vast numbers of those deported have committed no crimes at all.
But, you say, just being here illegally is a serious crime.
Wrong — entering the USA without permission is only a misdemeanor, like drunk driving or petty theft. Illegal behavior, yes, but a crime justifying the aggressive arrests at Madison after an anti-Noem demonstration? (Totally not related, they say!)
This policy will come to be understood as a dark and regrettable part of our history along with so many other misguided, unjustified white majority stains of our past.
Meanwhile, millions of USA families are fearfully alert for that aggressive knock on their door. Sadly, it’s being done in my name and yours.
Mike Levsen is a former Aberdeen mayor and a regular contributor to The South Dakota Standard.
Photo: ICE detention facility, public domain, wikimedia commons
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