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Jorge’s ‘inhumane, immoral’ ICE deportation: Why?

In this Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 photo, Jorge Garcia hugs his wife, Cindy Garcia, and their two children at Detroit Metro Airport moments before boarding a flight to Mexico. Garcia, who had lived in the U.S. for nearly 30 years, was deported to Mexico. Detroit Free Press via AP Niraj Warikoo
In this Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 photo, Jorge Garcia hugs his wife, Cindy Garcia, and their two children at Detroit Metro Airport moments before boarding a flight to Mexico. Garcia, who had lived in the U.S. for nearly 30 years, was deported to Mexico. Detroit Free Press via AP Niraj Warikoo

What kind of a country do we live in?

I read with amazement and horror Monday’s Bee story of Jorge Garcia.

Mr. Garcia is a 39-year-old father of two, who was brought to this country at the age of 10. He has had a steady job. He pays his taxes. He has never had any trouble with the law. His wife and two children are all citizens of the United States.

Jorge doesn’t qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) because he is one year too old. This week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) agents put him on a plane and sent him to Mexico, a country he has not lived in for 30 years.

I’m certain that everything was done legally. I’m sure the ICE agents were just following orders. The deportation of Mr. Garcia was as inhumane and immoral as anything I have ever seen my government do. This is what immigration enforcement under Donald Trump has come to, breaking up an American family to dot an “i” and cross a “T.” What other purpose could such an immoral act serve?

Gordon Fake, Fresno

This story was originally published January 20, 2018 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Jorge’s ‘inhumane, immoral’ ICE deportation: Why?."

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