"NO DEPORTATION FOR MOM OUTED BY DAUGHTER"

[Cha]

".... It was a sad exchange to watch. First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at a Maryland elementary school this week, and was asked by a young girl about the administration deporting undocumented immigrants. Obama agreed that this is "something we have to work on," to "make sure that people can be here with the right kind of papers."

The girl replied, sad and with her voice trailing off, "But my mom doesn't have any papers."

The First Lady agreed that "we have to work on that. We have to fix that. Everybody's got to work together on that in Congress to make sure that happens."

The exchange, however, raised a related concern: did that 7-year old girl inadvertently expose her own mother as an immigrant who lives in the country illegally?

Fortunately, Obama administration officials said yesterday that they have no intention of deporting the girl's mother.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement will not take action against the mother, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

"ICE is a federal law enforcement agency that focuses on smart, effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes criminal aliens who pose a threat to our communities," spokesman Matthew Chandler said in an e-mail. "Our investigations are based on solid law enforcement work and not classroom Q and As."

Good move. It was sad enough to see that little girl's question; it would have been tragic if officials went after her mom as a result.

—Steve Benen 10:00 AM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (31)
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[NYC_SKP]

1. That's very nice to know.

What a good man.

:hi:

[Cha]

2. You can't make this stuff up!

:hi:

[DevonRex]

3. Thank you Cha. I swear, Benen does the best reporting.

Love ya both!

[Cha]

4. He does..he's one of my very most favorites..

I like his style. Got aware of him bc babylonsister would link his site and after awhile I got to know his name and then he actually replied to me on DU once so I think he reads here if he ever has the time.