It is infuriating to read about Republicans demanding that we immediately deport refugee children back to the misery they fled in their home countries. It is especially infuriating that these same Republicans have long supported a militarized War on Drugs that helps dramatically contribute to the instability and violence in Central America that is driving children to flee to the USA.
The War on Drugs has been and continues to be an unmitigated disaster of epic proportions. The criminalization of a large array of recreational drugs has led to the predictable consequence of diverting billions of dollars every year into the hands of criminals and cartels. There is little evidence that the War on Drugs has had any notable impact on drug use (or even drug supply) in the United States, but it has certainly helped fund violent criminals both at home and abroad. Legalizing just marijuana could help cut cartel drug income by 30%.
The latest flare in violence is largely related to organized crime that we help fund both directly and indirectly through American consumption of illegal drugs and our drug policies. The current refugee crisis is the latest sad story in a long line of tragedies that we, as a nation, bear some responsibility for. The very least these children deserve from us is a chance at refugee status, not just a quick deportation.