Holding Susie Hazahza for Profit

[seemslikeadream]

http://www.counterpunch.org/

....


These anecdotes suggest the awful conclusion that Suzi Hazahza's hell is being funded and extended for profit. What could be a justifiable reason to keep her locked up for one more day if not to prove that the lengthy detention of immigrants is a profitable policy, no matter who you think you are.

"This is no different than what Eisenhower warned us about when he talked about the military-industrial complex," says Johnson-Castro. "And just like you have wars waged because there are people who profit, so there are prisons built--and people put in them--for the same motive."

"People honked, people waved," recalls Johnson-Castro. "People approached us and complimented us for what we were doing. At Haskell one lady was coming back from a funeral for her mom. She came out and said, I want to compliment you for doing this. I know things are wrong there. But nobody does anything about it.' She invited us to talk with her. We said we can't stay long, but she asked some questions anyway."

"A diversity of people encouraged us," says Johnson-Castro. "Which tells us that there is an element that would like to connect and be heard together. I've got to say that this is a part of Texas that all Texans should be proud of. Here is the Texan who is making the earth productive. It is a dying breed in our county or anywhere in the modern world. And they are trying to prove that humans can get along. It would be a violation of their conscience to see this happen to Suzi. It may look like they are guilty, but they aren't. It's not the people. It's a partnership between the federal government, county government, state politicians, and corporate interests."

[pitohui]

1. it is actually not that clear what is to be done with this woman

should she immediately be deported back to a war zone instead?

we can't stop detaining/deporting illegal immigrants and certainly not illegal immigrants from the middle east, i'm sorry, there is more at stake here than just "suzi," reasonable people should be able to agree that the usa is entitled to secure borders

everybody who says that they are an asylum seeker or a student is not what they claim to be, see under air pilot student mohammed atta

i agree that the for-profit prison system needs to be stopped -- and stopped now -- but we need to get a better poster child than an illegal immigrant from palestine if we want to succeed in that mission

the article is too long and i did skim a bit but i didn't really notice any practical suggestion being offered

[ret5hd]

2. Give us a profile of what you would consider a good poster child.

[pitohui]

3. well obviously not someone awaiting deportation for illegal entry across international borders

i think i would like to hear more about the prisoner (unnamed) who said the prison kept making up petty excuses past his normal parole date to keep him around

i've heard rumors of such, for example, in a texas prison that is a farm, there was a highly skilled individual involved in the operation of the farm, who was not able to get parole because he was too useful in farm operations -- don't want to get too detailed without someone's permission but i hope you get the general idea -- a person who has been an asset to the prison and who has learned or has skills that he can transfer to good legal employment on the outside but yet is kept prisoner longer to profit the system

that kind of thing disturbs me because that isn't the way it is supposed to work

the prison should not be run w. a primary focus on profit, it should be run w. a primary focus on educating and re-training those who can be helped so they can have a decent and productive life when they get out

people who "get out" when they are deported are in a different situation from those who "get out" based on the whim of a parole board, clearly, it's in the interest of the usa to deport illegal immigrants ASAP rather than paying to feed and house them, however, deporting someone directly back to a war zone or near war zone where they may be in danger of their life doesn't seem like a case where they need to be hasty, if the girl and sister had been immediately dumped back in palestine and shot dead by some political enemy then it wouldn't look good for us either frankly


here i'm not seeing the alternative to holding the girls until it can be fairly determined if they are eligible for asylum here or if they can be safely repatriated to palestine

[seemslikeadream]

4. I believe you're missing the point

"And just like you have wars waged because there are people who profit, so there are prisons built--and people put in them--for the same motive."