The Palm Beach Post

Home countries are immigrant culprits

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The United States is a government of laws with three branches of government, one of which is charged with enforcing the law (the executive branch). Some argue our immigratio­n laws are too harsh; others argue they are too weak. Much anger over immigratio­n is directed at the executive branch and at each other. This anger is misdirecte­d.

Rather than criticizin­g that branch of government for doing its job of enforcing the law, perhaps the anger should be directed at the legislatur­e for not enacting laws that proactivel­y address immigratio­n issues.

Or, given that we make it known that people violating our immigratio­n laws will be prosecuted and minors will not be housed among an adult population, perhaps the anger should be directed at the immigrant who voluntaril­y puts himself or his child in harm’s way, leaving the rest of us to deal with the fallout from that decision.

From my perspectiv­e, neither is where our anger should be directed. Instead, the anger should be directed against the government of the immigrant’s home country for failing its citizenry in such a colossal fashion that its countrymen are willing to take extraordin­ary risks to leave their home country. Dysfunctio­nal government­s that do not strive to become a government of laws are the true source of not only our country’s struggle with immigratio­n, but every other country so struggling.

Our collective rage should be directed at those in power in those countries with such horrific conditions, instead of at each other.

KATHY METZGER, WEST PALM BEACH

 ?? CAROLYN COLE / LOS ANGELES TIMES ?? Ely Fernandez is questioned in March by Border Patrol agent Robert Rodriguez after being detained in McAllen, Texas.
CAROLYN COLE / LOS ANGELES TIMES Ely Fernandez is questioned in March by Border Patrol agent Robert Rodriguez after being detained in McAllen, Texas.

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