Our View: Speak the truth about immigrants

Donald Trump’s plans for a deportation surge should not surprise anyone who listened to his campaign promises.

Those who were hoping he didn’t really mean it can no longer kid themselves.

Those who have been going along to get along can no longer pretend there is neutral ground.

It’s time to take a stand.

It’s time to speak the truth about the 11 million.

We need these voices now

Business leaders and their champions at state and national chambers of commerce were at the forefront of seeking comprehensive immigration reform years ago.

They know that immigrant labor is critical to some industries. They know that immigrant laborers are hard-working decent people who contribute to the economic health of the communities where they live. Let them say so.

Politicians also know Trump’s attempt to characterize the undocumented as dangerous criminals who hurt the economy is false.

Governors from border states – like Arizona’s Doug Ducey – understand that our trade and commerce relationship with Mexico is something to nurture, not spit on. Let them say so.

ROBB: What part of illegal should Trump ignore?

VALDEZ: Why Ducey needs to tell Trump about Mexico

Many of the Republicans who control Congress and taxpayers' money know that spending billions to break up families is cruel and wasteful. Let them say so.

Or do they think it's OK for U.S.-born children of undocumented parents to wonder if Mom will be there when they get home from school? No child should live in such fear.

The Arizona Department of Child Safety is “aware of children in out-of-home care who have a parent or parents who have been deported,” according to Darren DaRonco of DCS. He says they don't keep track of the numbers.

A national group that took a look in 2011 found thousands of such children in foster care – not because their parents were abusive. It was because their parents had been deported or detained.

Sen. John McCain once reminded the nation that the undocumented were God’s children.

Sen. Jeff Flake used to talk about the free-market, free-enterprise reasons he supported comprehensive immigration reform.

We need such voices of reason now.

What 'dreamers' need (hint: not fear)

The Department of Homeland Security’s deportation memo gives a pass to "dreamers," those young people who were brought here as children and qualified for President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

What’s needed for them and their parents is a process to permanently legalize their status.

That process would involve screening and background checks. It would do more to identify criminals than random roundups.

EDITORIAL: Arizona shows Trump the way on immigration

Law enforcement officials know that. They also know the risks of sowing fear in migrant communities. It only helps criminals when people are afraid to report crime or help in prosecutions. They should speak up.

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly issued memos that read like a blueprint for mass deportations, but he says that’s not the plan.

In fact, the purpose may be to intimidate people through a strategy known as “attrition through enforcement.” Arizona promoted this with its infamous 2010 law, Senate Bill 1070.

Arizona’s law was met with condemnation from around the country. But there has been far too little outrage over what Trump is doing.

His lies can't become the narrative. Those who know the truth need to speak up.

Not all immigrants are criminals

Trump began his campaign by mischaracterizing undocumented immigrants as “bringing drugs ...bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” He continued that line Thursday by calling the enforcement effort “a military operation” against “what has been allowed to come into our country — when you see gang violence ... much of that is people who are here illegally.”

There have been horrific crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. But studies over years have shown immigrants have lower crime and incarceration rates than native-born Americans.

There is a long-standing need to gain control of the border and many improvements have been made. But Trump's attacks on hard-working people won't help.

President Obama, who was criticized for the large numbers of people he deported, instituted priorities for going after dangerous criminals. That is how is should be. Trump’s expanded list makes anybody’s grandmother a target.

Faith leaders know this is wrong. Evangelicals and others went along with Trump as president for the sake of getting like-minded people appointed to the Supreme Court.

Did they gain the court and abandon the moral high ground from which to speak out forcefully on behalf of people who share their faith and fill their churches? Are they afraid of being answered with a nasty tweet?

Increasing numbers of churches are promising sanctuary, which is bold and courageous. Let them tell America why. Let them say it loudly.

Let them join a chorus of people who speak up on behalf of humanity and fairness.