Don’t believe a recent writer’s claim that Trump supports “an immigration process that is fair, safe and lawful” (“Take thoughtful approach on immigration,” John D. Wyndham). Instead Trump suspended, banned and reversed immigration in all legal forms, abandoning immigrants who follow the rules waiting (sometimes for years), many already here legally.

He fired 20 immigration judges,, rapidly dismantling the already backlogged immigration courts. A federal judge has “expressed frustration” that the administration failed to resume processing/resettlement of refugees with “arranged and confirmable” travel plans canceled when the refugee ban went into effect Jan. 22. An estimated 14,000 refugees are stranded in the pipeline who completed vetting, waited sometimes years, booked travel to the United States and qualified as “injunction protected refugees” as clarified by the Ninth Circuit.

Many have current “Must Travel By” dates and – if the program swiftly resumes as required – could be processed and resettled without needing to repeat medical and security screenings. Even administration legal counsel acknowledged over 10,000 refugees had flights canceled by the refugee ban.

After Trump canceled other safe legal programs (Temporary Protective Status, CBP-One, sponsored work visas) and even seeks to nullify the status of those already here under those programs, people have been detained and deported as they show up for regular court appointments, dragged from the streets, legal jobs and their homes and families.

There is nothing fair, safe or legal about incarcerating and deporting people without due process, compliant registered asylum-seekers, refugees who wait compliantly, students peacefully exercising free speech, folks with legal work permits and legal immigrants without criminal records — let alone enforced disappearances to a notorious El Salvador prison.

Julie Zimmer

Peterborough