Immigration laws are there for a reason, yes, and I agree with the reason. But breaking them is not so heinous a crime as murder or rape, or even assault or theft. Saying it’s their fault for being stigmatized is just blaming the victim. These people have lived a tough life. Do you think it was easy for them to leave their country and come here? Just because they broke the law doesn’t mean we should treat them like criminals. I would say that yes you are falling into a trap of rigidity of thought and making blanket judgements. I break the law nearly every day by jaywalking but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be allowed to cross the street. And so why deportation can be such an overly harsh punishment. When I say these people are citizens of the land they call home, I mean just because they don’t have papers doesn’t mean they don’t live here. That woman who was deported has lived in America longer than I have. But she wasn’t as fortunate as I.
Great post. Made me think.