I am outraged by the Donald Trump-spawned spectacle of the intensified ICE raids and by the inhumane abuse and illegal treatment of refugees and their children on the southern border.

Instead of passing comprehensive immigration reform bill as almost happened six years ago — until it was blocked by the Republicans — we now witness the sorry spectacle of our government’s abuse of children and the horrendous conditions for immigrant families in the government camps run by private for-profit companies.

Instead of fixing our immigration system, the government is targeting immigrants with raids and deportations and refusing to create a legal path to citizenship. The president has shown little interest in compassionate and comprehensive reform, and instead, has demonstrated his racism and animosity toward the refugees and their supporters in Congress.

His actions violate international law and shame this nation’s legacy. The ICE raids should be halted and the refugees released from inhumane confinement.

John Witeck

Kamehameha Heights

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