On Wednesday, after a growing firestorm of controversy, President Trump signed an executive order concerning child separation at the border.
The order specifically addressed the other two branches of government as the keys to the crisis: “It is unfortunate that Congress’s failure to act and court orders have put the Administration in the position of separating alien families to effectively enforce the law.”
Last Friday, the president appeared on “Fox and Friends” where he indicated that he was powerless to influence the situation: “We can’t do it through an executive order.” It’s unclear whether his actions since were legitimately spurred on by a change of heart, concern about political repercussions during a midterm election year, or a combination of both. Still, outside influences of some sort were a major deciding factor.
The overwhelming reaction from those on the Left, and a growing number of individuals on the Right, including myself, has been that our nation should treat the children at the border in a humane manner. They are the helpless victims placed in situations by their parents and other adults. They did not ask for displacement and are the ones most likely to suffer long-term damage. It is heartbreaking.
While the drama at the border continues, there is another crisis involving the innocent that has been ongoing for decades. It is our national crime of abortion.
Speaking to the House on Wednesday morning about the separation policy, Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., stated the following: “Our nation is mourning. Our nation is crying out to save our little children. Save our babies. History will not be kind to us as a nation and as a people if we continue to go down this road. We must stop the madness and stop it now.”
Though Lewis was a civil rights leader in the 1960s and has seen racial injustice firsthand, you won’t hear him plead with fellow members of the legislative body for action on the abortion issue. He is not alone in this unwillingness, either. Too many elected officeholders who sit in the chamber alongside him have a similar mindset.
While addressing child separation and other immigration issues by way of legislation is the correct course of action, it’s a reminder only a narrow set of certain matters fall within the leftist circle of concern.
Where is the focus on protecting little lives within the womb? They are targeted for simply existing and brutally discarded without thought. Will history be kind to our nation for its heritage of abortion? Should we as a nation not mourn the thousands killed every day?
Each individual matters, whether they reside in the womb or step onto our soil to find a better life. Each should be treated humanely. But there is only one category of humans who receive consideration by the side leading the charge against child separation.
The hypocrisy is glaring.
With such binary attitudes floating around, it’s near impossible to raise the idea that one can, and should, be concerned about multiples issues at the same time. Calling for proper care and treatment of children at our border does not equate to support for open borders. We should support common-sense immigration legislation. Our national security is of the utmost priority.
In the midst of that focus, it is morally correct to ask why Democratic politicians and other members of the Left turn a blind eye to the murderous cruelty they support with their words and actions. The same individuals scolding Americans for not caring about illegal immigrant children openly praise the “right” to abortion. They seek support from an industry dedicated to stripping the very life from others. They even work to allow young immigrant females access to abortion. Apparently, brown children are only worth their attention if they’ve safely left the treacherous confines of the womb.
The media spotlight, roundtable discussions, and tearful moments on “The Rachel Maddow Show” will never be used to focus on the worth of an entire unseen population denied their start at life.
As a pro-life advocate, I am bothered by the flippant attitude toward the young lives who enter this country illegally. They should be kept with their families and given proper protection from predators, no matter if they are eventually sent back to the country from which they came.
As an advocate for all, I am horrified that a nation so eager to welcome some into our country actively works to keep millions from experiencing life in the first place.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a senior contributor at RedState.com.
