General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWe didn't put this American first. She died because of it.
By Max Boot Columnist February 1 at 8:15 PM
The best parts of President Trumps State of the Union speech were all the individuals in the gallery he called out for recognition, from military heroes, to a North Korean defector, to a welder who was said to have benefited from his tax cuts. But, of course, the guest list was carefully curated to support Trumps polemical points, including his animus toward non-Norwegian immigration. Among those cited were two families whose daughters were killed by members of the transnational MS-13 gang, even though immigrants, even illegal immigrants, are much less likely to commit crimes than the native-born.
There are a few missing people I wish the president had invited: the three daughters of Helen Huynh. Who is Helen Huynh? She was an American citizen one of the people Trump said it was his sacred duty to protect and she died last Friday, in part because of the governments restrictive visa policies.
As The Post has reported, Helen was an immigrant from Vietnam. She came to Southern California in 1991 with her husband, Vien Huynh, who fought in South Vietnams army alongside American troops. After the fall of Saigon, he spent eight years in a brutal reeducation camp enduring torture. The Huynhs had two daughters before immigrating and another after arrival. The youngest, Tiffany, now in her mid-20s, was born with Down syndrome. Helen was her primary caregiver. Vien did odd jobs such as delivering pizzas and newspapers to support his family.
A year ago, at 61, Helen was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Her doctors concluded that a stem-cell transplant was the only treatment that could save her life. One of her sisters in Vietnam was found to be a perfect match. All she would have to do is fly to the United States. Except that officials at the U.S. consulate in Hanoi wouldnt grant her a visa. Three times she was rejected.
The consulate was worried that Helens sister wouldnt return to Vietnam, even though she has a business and a family there. Finally, under pressure from California lawmakers, the visa came through, but the passage of time made it less likely that the transplant a risky undertaking in any case would succeed. Helen died a week ago.
more
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/we-didnt-put-this-american-first-she-died-because-of-it/2018/02/01/f52d547a-0759-11e8-8777-2a059f168dd2_story.html
aggiesal
(8,914 posts)They have no empathy for life.
IronLionZion
(45,442 posts)Why give anyone a visa then? As if the Trump administration isn't extremely effective at deportation. They would know exactly where the sister is and I don't see why it's a big enough concern to keep her out of the country.
I've seen the opposite also where folks here in the US on work visas can't go visit sick relatives in their home countries for fear that they won't be allowed back to America.
Solly Mack
(90,767 posts)Some people are so horribly warped. So beyond reach.