Rabbis Led a Pilgrimage to Protest Tornillo Migrant Children Detention Center

Rabbis Led a Pilgrimage to Protest Texas Migrant Children Detention Center

By Gary Nguyen --
19 Nov 2018 --

The children live under deplorable conditions in the migration camps.

The Tornillo camp located in the remote region of the West Texas desert witnessed about 200 protesters led by rabbis and a number of other faith leaders[/tweetit]. The aim of the protesters was to send a clear signal to the Trump administration that ordinary Americans are not happy with how their government treats migrant children. The protesters, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews, shared reflections and sang songs outside the camp.

The United States Government has made the border outpost a veritable tent city. The facilities now house unaccompanied minor children. The protests were organized by Rabbi Josh Whinston, an Ann Arbor, Michigan resident and Reform Jewish leader.

Rabbis Led a Pilgrimage to Protest Tornillo Migrant Children Detention Center[/tweetthis]

Many kids locked up at Tornillo are there longer than the 20 days per the law. This happened as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported a few people who came to pick up a relative. Fears of deportation have dissuaded others to visit the camp. Developments like these have concerned Americans like Joshua Rubin, who held a vigil outside the detention center. The software engineer resigned from his job and began to sit outside the camp to witness what's happening there.

According to Whinston, there are a number of similarities between the ancient Israelites mentioned in the Bible and Tornillo’s migrant children. Like the then Israelis, the present day refugees have fled their home countries in search of a better life. He elaborated on his reasoning, saying the refugees who have arrived at the U.S. border are fleeing to stay alive and from persecution. For some people, he admitted, the reason could be economic, but that is not the case for the majority of refugees. He added, as the one of the richest nations in the world, the United States must do what it can to help those who seek asylum, and not treat refugees as criminals.

Proud that my rabbi is at #Tornillo demanding it be closed. #LetOurFamiliesGo https://t.co/vVx28VG8mQ
— Wendi Williams (@wendijwilliams) November 17, 2018

The Tornillo tent city has seen quick growth from the time the first tent was pegged in June for the purpose of being a temporary home for migrant children. As per the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), it now has the capacity to house 3,200 children. Victoria Lopez, an attorney attached to the ACLU, said more than 1,000 unaccompanied children continue to be held there. The children get a few hours of education daily and sleep in bunk beds.