Betrayed by America?

Roberto Beristain in a provided photo. Photo: Phil Kolliopoulos

Source: The Wall Street Journal, April 5, 2017

A recent article in The Wall Street Journal chronicles the sad tale of the deportation of Roberto Beristain. The headline reads, “After 20 Years in U.S., Indiana Restaurant Owner Is Deported." (Link to the article here.)

It certainly catches your attention when you read, “Mr. Beristain, an undocumented immigrant and business owner living in Indiana with his American wife and children, was deported to Mexico…” One’s immediate reaction is, “Something is seriously wrong here! ICE must have better things to do” At least, that was my reaction.

Then I read the article.

Mr. Beristain entered the country illegally in 1997.

He was ordered deported in 2000. He did not comply and the order was not executed.

In 2012, the Obama administration, ignoring the law and the deportation order, granted him permission to stay.

He was, finally, detained by ICE in February 2017 and returned to Mexico last week.

Mr. Beristain was clearly betrayed.

However, he was NOT betrayed by America or by ICE.

He was betrayed by those in the United States who believe the law should only be enforced if they like the law. Otherwise, they believe the law should be ignored. Unfortunately, for those in Mr. Beristain’s position there is no statute of limitations for his crime. He, and his family, is now paying the price for those who aided and abetted his illegal residency.