President Donald Trump's immigration reforms are drawing criticism again after deciding to deport an 11-year-old girl without her family. One of those critics is the Chief of Police in Houston, Texas, Art Acevedo.
Acevedo took to Twitter to express his outrage over the recent family separation directed by the Trump administration.
He posted:
"This is heart-wrenching. 1,000 points of light? Family values? [American] values? Judeo-Christian values? If you’re a person of faith, speak out. WWJD?"
This is heart-wrenching. 1,000 points of light? Family values? Ameican values? Judeo-Christian values? If you’re a… https://t.co/bLokEAWkoy— Chief Art Acevedo (@Chief Art Acevedo) 1555069979.0
He added:
"Yep. The Nazi’s enforced their laws as well. You don’t separate children from their families! Ever! You’d have to kill me to take my child from me simply because I was trying to get them to a better place for a better tomorrow. I am glad to be on the right side of history."
Yep. The Nazi’s enforced their laws as well. You don’t separate children from their families! Ever! You’d have to k… https://t.co/OUV6TVqfhS— Chief Art Acevedo (@Chief Art Acevedo) 1555070731.0
Acevedo concluded by stating:
"Keep them together and if they don’t meet asylum requirements deport them as a family unit. We need comprehensive immigration reform but both major political parties have failed to address this problem because it gives tnem an issue to pander to their respective base."
Keep them together and if they don’t meet asylum requirements deport them as a family unit. We need comprehensive i… https://t.co/lyEyc01uYu— Chief Art Acevedo (@Chief Art Acevedo) 1555070731.0
The family in question was apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border in October. The family, seeking asylum, was released and followed government instructions, visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials every two weeks.
But the child was ordered back to El Salvador without her mother, Dora Alvarado, and 15-year-old sister because the 11-year-old missed a court appearance and subsequently received the deportation order. The family's lawyer blames immigration officials for the missed court date.
Acevedo has criticized the Trump administration's immigration policies before.
Acevedo, who is also a vocal proponent of sensible gun control laws, tweeted in June about immigration and the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" family separation policy.
This headline about families is truly disheartening and inconsistent with American values. Our collective hearts sh… https://t.co/FZtiXK4bhe— Chief Art Acevedo (@Chief Art Acevedo) 1529667171.0
American values? Conservative values? Progressive values? Judeo-Christian values? Family values? History & God will… https://t.co/lfEcZEUKcA— Chief Art Acevedo (@Chief Art Acevedo) 1529255195.0
Acevedo is not without critics.
@ArtAcevedo You need to focus on your job as Chief.— Thoward (@Thoward) 1555071314.0
@ArtAcevedo So who is responsible? The govt enforcing its laws? Or the family that put her in the situation she’s i… https://t.co/sj97lkLzbg— CC (@CC) 1555070160.0
But people had responses for his critics.
@MadDog_TX @ArtAcevedo You have issues. You are not a good person— Jack (@Jack) 1555071696.0
@ArtAcevedo Did people read the article? The family was seeking asylum, not breaking laws. The whole incident is ap… https://t.co/ebK3SgC1Lb— Marcat (@Marcat) 1555078537.0
And for each criticism there were several more supportive comments.
@ArtAcevedo Why is this legal?— William White (@William White) 1555092689.0
@ArtAcevedo @SebastianMurdoc Omg!!! The poor child. Ye as American people need to rise up against these disgusting… https://t.co/MNgD6MEzQr— Catherine O'Reilly (@Catherine O'Reilly) 1555100222.0
@ArtAcevedo It’s not every day I feel a need to express my admiration for a police Chief. But today’s the day. You… https://t.co/niozu5P6ev— No Whackadoodlery (@No Whackadoodlery) 1555099612.0
@ArtAcevedo Unfortunately in the era of trump Judeo-Christian values is to support NetanYahoo, absolving the pussy-… https://t.co/tRmxNAPeFv— Motecuhzoma II (@Motecuhzoma II) 1555096997.0
The girl's lawyer plans to appeal the deportation order.