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Opinion
The following is presented as part of The Columbian’s Opinion content, which offers a point of view in order to provoke thought and debate of civic issues. Opinions represent the viewpoint of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus opinion of The Columbian’s editorial board, which operates independently of the news department.
News / Opinion / Letters to the Editor

Letter: Immigration requires compassion

By Simmo Kaasik, Vancouver
Published: January 23, 2025, 6:00am

Gabriela sits in silence, clutching a faded photograph of her daughters — eight months after the state tore them from her arms at the border. The abrupt termination of the Keeping Families Together program shattered her hopes and plunged her into despair. The $580 she saved for the application now feels like a cruel tax on heartbreak.

The Keeping Families Together program, though imperfect, offered a lifeline to families navigating the immigration system. Its sudden end left thousands separated, struggling against a bureaucratic labyrinth. Gabriela’s pleas for answers are met with silence, despite the government’s promise to address pending cases and refunds. This inaction is not just administrative failure — it’s a betrayal of trust and human dignity.

What does this say about America? A country that once championed family unity now treats families as expendable. This crisis demands immediate action. Refunds must be issued, and families deserve clear, timely resolutions. Congress must protect family reunification programs, ensuring compassion and dignity prevail over politics.

Gabriela’s story reflects the cost of indifference. Reuniting these families is not just a bureaucratic task — it’s a moral imperative that defines who we are as a nation.

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