Mauritanian deportations lead to slavery

Black Mauritanians are seeking something very simple: The right to live a dignified life. The right to not be enslaved or work as indentured servants in the country they left. Stateless, these men now face imprisonment and torture as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement increases deportations to Mauritania.

Without citizenship, black Mauritanians are not granted Mauritanian passports. If they had passports, they could seek a new life in a third country like Canada or other neighboring West African countries. Instead, once they arrive in Mauritania, they’re trapped. ICE has delivered them to a violent reality.

ICE claims that there is no change in policy though the agency has deported 79 Mauritanians in the past year, after averaging seven deportations each year from fiscal years 2014 through 2017.

ICE claims that detaining and deporting Mauritanians fulfills its core mission. We agree; ICE has demonstrated that its core mission is to terrorize and separate our communities. We must demand that our members of Congress act now. Jonathan Jayes-Green Co-founder and director UndocuBlack Network Washington, D.C.

Deportations shouldn’t take into account the living conditions of the undocumented immigrants’ native country. The only concern should be if they are here legally or not. It’s called enforcing U.S. immigration laws. Chad Clausen

Is the U.S. obligated to take everyone from every country that has human rights abuses and/or terrible poverty? Is there any limit? Who pays for all of this? Larry Hollingsworth

Because they may have firsthand knowledge of slave trading, the U.S. should utilize these immigrants to fight slavery in their native countries. Ed Montvidas