BATs Statement on US Attack on Asylum Seekers

The directors of the Badass Teachers Association condemn U.S. border agent’s unjustified use of tear gas on asylum seekers this weekend in Tijuana, Mexico. 

As board directors of an organization of more than 65,000 members, we want to remind the Trump administration that people seeking asylum are not violating any immigration law, nor deserve to be treated so violently. Firing on people who are already fleeing from violence demeans us all, and serves no good purpose for the asylum seekers or American citizens. 
Border agents violently barring entry to asylum seekers into this country are not acting in our name, especially when they fire on children screaming and coughing from the gas, as the Associated Press reported. 

We remind the President and all elected officials of the words inscribed at the foot of the Statue of Liberty:

“Give me your tired, your poor, 
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free… 
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, 
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” 

It is our opinion that those unfortunate people border agents fired upon were acting out of desperation because our government is purposefully processing a small number of asylum requests. Border agents at the San Ysidro entry point are processing fewer than 100 asylum petitions a day while more than 5,000 people are camped in and around a sports complex in Tijuana after making their way through Mexico in recent weeks via a migrant caravan. 

These people come in desperation to this country looking for help, but our government not only refuses to consider their pleas, but attacks the asylum seekers when they are desperate.

“As a public school teacher and father of a school age child, I am appalled by these actions,” said Steven Singer, Co-Director of BATs Blogging and Research Committee.

“We are a nation of immigrants. When people come here looking for help, for shelter and peace, we should not turn them away. We are one of the richest nations in the world. It is our duty to help the less fortunate – not attack women and children.”

"Any person that purposefully inflicts harm upon a child, whether they believe they are protecting something or not, should be considered as a person that is endangering the welfare of a child, and charged with such.” Said Melissa Tomlinson, BATS Assistant Executive Director. 

“Direct attacks on families, under the guise of making America great again are reprehensible, especially on land that once belonged to another nation of people."

“We are not at war with Mexico or any other country south of our border,” said Nancy Osborne, co-director of BATs Meme Team.

“They are our allies. They should not be treated as our enemy. They are families with children escaping terrible conditions in their home countries. They should not be met with guns and tear gas. We have laws that say we give asylum. Those laws are being perverted by our current administration for political gain. This cruelty in the name of our country must end.”

“I am sure that there are capable an honorable members in this administration who can provide a more respectful or humane way to help these asylum seekers.” Said Sergio Flores, member of BATs Board of Directors.

“The appalling display of violence against defenseless and harmless people is beneath the most elementary civility”.