I received this email from NC Senator Thom Tillis on April 25, 2022. I’m no armchair pundit nor am I interested in arguing politics. But this one really got under my skin.

He is not, in fact, being “clear” when he says the Title 42 Order “allows for immediate expulsion of illegal immigrants who attempt to cross the southern border.” He leaves out crucial context: Title 42 is a 2020 CDC order issued due to covid-19.

Coincidentally, the CDC has also issued orders regarding face masks & showing proof of vaccination, but I’m not seeing a lot of Republicans rushing to support those. Why then would Tillis support the Title 42 Order so vehemently? Fearmongering.

He cites “alarming reports” of 170,000 illegal immigrants who will attempt to enter the US if the Title 42 Order is rescinded. Why would it be rescinded? Because the CDC said it is “no longer necessary.”

But you know what? We already have an average of 170,000 people coming to the southern border every month now, even with Title 42 in place.

In case that doesn’t scare you enough, he says DHS & FEMA are preparing for over 500,000 illegal immigrants per month. What he doesn’t mention is that DHS plans to switch from Title 42 to processing for removal under Title 8. https://dhs.gov/news/2022/03/30/fact-sheet-dhs-preparations-potential-increase-migration…

Title 8 addresses “those who attempt to enter the US without authorization & who are unable to establish a legal basis to remain in the US (such as a valid asylum claim)…” So, it seems there will still be rules in place for dealing with immigrants. https://dhs.gov/news/2022/03/30/fact-sheet-dhs-preparations-potential-increase-migration…

He also neglects to mention what the DHS says in its fact sheet: “Violence, food insecurity, poverty & lack of economic opportunity in several countries in the Western Hemisphere are driving unprecedented levels of migration to our Southwest Border…” https://dhs.gov/news/2022/03/30/fact-sheet-dhs-preparations-potential-increase-migration

“… The devastating economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region has only exacerbated these challenges. Human smuggling organizations peddle misinformation that the border is open.” https://dhs.gov/news/2022/03/30/fact-sheet-dhs-preparations-potential-increase-migration…

No, instead, Senator Tillis blames the “Biden Administration’s failed immigration policies” that “have caused illegal immigration to reach historic & unsustainable levels.” He also says “This dire humanitarian crisis cannot continue…”

And on that I agree with him, it is a humanitarian crisis. But if fearmongering, villifying & turning people away is the way he wants to deal with it, he does not represent me, a registered, voting, taxpaying constituent in NC.

Republicans often justify their positions by calling on a higher authority, and yet they’re also just as quick to ignore the portions of the Bible which do not suit their purposes. How about Matthew 25:42-45?

“For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

“They will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”

Many of my ancestors came to the US to escape famine, war, fascism, poverty – one even came to escape an arranged marriage, according to family lore – and I will not pull the ladder up behind me. Far as I’m concerned, anyone who wants to be part of this country is welcome.

~ J.L. Hilton

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