This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In the May 4 Tribune article about the detention and potential deportation of a mother of three young children, ICE spokesman Carl Rusnok lays out the president's disturbing new priorities on immigration. Rusnok tells us "that ICE will no longer exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement" and that anyone "in violation of the immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention, and removal from the U.S." He clarifies that "ICE focuses its resources on immigrants who pose a threat to national security and public safety."
Which policy really applies? Tell me how Silvia Avelar-Flores, a law-abiding mother, brought to the U.S. when she was a child, who has no criminal record, who pays her taxes and has a stable family life with her husband and children "poses a threat to national security and public safety."
By going after her, ICE — at the direction of the president — has destabilized a productive family, psychologically traumatized three young American citizens and increased fear in families and communities across our state.
The overly broad policy applied to Avelar-Flores does nothing to make the U.S. safer or greater. Instead, it diminishes us all.
Joanne Slotnik
Salt Lake City