To the editor:
I write this letter as an educator of over 45 years serving children and the communities of Lawrence Township, Flemington Raritan, and Cranbury Township school districts as a teacher, principal, chief school administrator and completed my career at The College of New Jersey as Director Emeritus of the Office of Support for Teacher Education and Global Student Teaching. In those roles my number one responsibility was to protect the safety and wellbeing of all the children and staff entrusted to my care.
I am outraged personally and professionally by the immoral “zero tolerance” immigration policies promulgated by the President of The United States, Donald Trump, his administration, and especially Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions and advisor Stephen Miller. Their decisions and policies now terrorize the children and parents seeking asylum at our southern border. Surely there exists a more humane approach to dealing with the issues of immigration.
President Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy on the southern border as set forth has legalized child abuse and the kidnapping of children. The Trump administration’s Gestapo tactics must stop immediately. These tactics are emblematic of some of our darkest moments in American and world history.
Today, the public outrage and public shaming of the President Trump and his administration have finally caused the Mr. Trump to revoke his misguided policy through an executive order which he previously stated he had no ability to do. The problem is far from solved. However, we must never forget who created this humanitarian crisis.
This is America. It has been a beacon of hope for the world for over two hundred years and despite the current policies and actions of the Trump Administration the goodness of this nation will prevail.
Robert J. Bartoletti, Ed.D.
Director Emeritus
The College of New Jersey
