The ongoing border crisis of 2021 is a corrosive and costly influence on national and Maryland politics, and it's an urgent sign that we need an Article V Convention of States.
Another day, another 10, 20, 30 stories appear about the illegal immigration crisis at our southern border. January 2021 saw a 173% rise in illegal border crossings since February 2020, predominantly by “unaccompanied minors.” Let’s call them what they really are: abandoned children.
In what universe is it compassionate to encourage parents to sell or rent their children to cartel traffickers who push orphans across the border to be housed in overcrowded facilities?
According to a March 31 report by The Associated Press, over 4,000 migrants, many kids, were crowded into a Texas facility meant to hold 250. The Donna, Texas, facility houses more than 500 children in each of eight “pods” measuring 3,200 square feet. That’s approximately six square feet per child, and they are being held for weeks beyond the 72-hour limit.
According to Breitbart News Radio on April 14, Brandon Darby reported that there are approximately 21,000 children in USCBP custody at the estimated cost of $65 million each week. Breitbart's Randy Clark further reported of child sexual abuse and COVID spread within the facilities housing these children.
How can anyone with a beating heart think it's humane to subject these abandoned children to the horrific journey across a desert to then be held in an overcrowded and dangerous facility only to be released to strangers on the other side?
Where is the humanity for these children and the communities where they will ultimately be placed? These abandoned children will carry the psychological, emotional, and physical trauma in their souls for a lifetime. Their pain will be felt by all those around them and beyond.
What about the cost to America’s children? The Federalist reported on March 30 that a foster care home in Seattle for 20 children who struggle with “severe behavioral problems” was required to vacate to make way for “unaccompanied minors” through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), despite the state’s widespread housing shortage for troubled youth requiring “therapeutic beds.”
In San Diego, American students are restricted to virtual learning, while the school district is providing in-person instruction in immigration detention facilities.
Finally, what about the financial burden to our nation and Maryland? In 2017 The Federalist Papers published a study by HowMuch.net showing the cost of illegal immigration by state. Among states spending the most on illegal immigration, Maryland has the distinction of being ranked in the top 10, ahead of Arizona and Nevada.
According to the data, the cost of illegal immigration to Marylanders was $2.5 billion, which includes education, welfare, law enforcement, and medical care. The total cost of immigration to the nation in 2017 was $135 billion.
In the wee hours of April 13, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Dignity Not Detention Act with a veto-proof majority. This bill effectively makes Maryland a Sanctuary State by eliminating ICE contracts, and it prevents state and local law enforcement officers from asking about someone’s immigration or residency status during stops.
Marylanders should have more influence over the decisions made that directly affect our state. Convention of States Maryland believes grassroots support is the key to successfully impacting our elected leaders. An Article V Convention of States would allow Marylanders to regain their voice in the decisions that affect us.
Citizens concerned for the future of our nation--under federal and state governments that are increasingly bloated, corrupt, reckless and invasive--have a constitutional option.
We can call a Convention of States to bring power back to the states and the people, where it belongs. Join us and sign the petition.
