A string attached to Christian charity.

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This is a Christian Nation.

Let’s just accept that.

In Flint, Michigan, people were exposed equally to lead in their water, and it would stand to reason that they would all be equally deserving of relief.

Helping them deal with a health problem not of their choosing, but one which was laid on them by those they trusted, by supplying them with clean water would be the Christian thing to do.

But, when it comes to Ted Cruz,  the Uber Christian, only those who oppose abortion will be given water from his charity. So if a living, walking-around kid has parents who are pro-choice, and ask for water, well then, too bad.

No water for you.

And then the government is going to grant relief, but, unlike with the poisoning, there is a catch.

The state is asking for a government issued ID because, as they claim, they want to be able to track where the water filters and other supplies are going.

Most unauthorized immigrants don’t have those IDs.

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“I have been to an office where I’ve said I need water. They said, I need a state ID, a valid state ID, and proof that you are a resident of the city of Flint. Before I can give you a filter.”

An unintended consequence of this request (why can’t they be able to present a utility bill?) is that since government officials often ask for IDs as a way of limiting aid or services to legal residents, and also as a way to find out who is undocumented, most Immigrants, legal or otherwise are somewhat reluctant to be asked for an ID.

I was involved in a somewhat parallel situation when, advocating for stated school district protections for GLBT students in a city that is run by Baptists and has a rather 19th Century attitude toward them, and a place where GLBT students face harassment and bullying, I was told that students could have a Gay Straight Alliance, whose purpose is to supply a safe-place on campus, provided I would give the principal the names of two GLB or T students first.

To him this might have seemed a very simple thing to request, but not having experienced what GLBT people did in other places and still do there, he had no idea of the negative consequences of “outing” students in that environment.

Just as outing students as a requirement for a safe and affirming organization could expose them to negative treatment, to those who could suffer from it, a simple request for an ID with which they cannot comply could be a way to screen out unauthorized immigrants or even arrest them for trying to get water they’re supposedly not entitled to.

Michigan has begun explaining that the request for an ID only calls for voluntary compliance, but distribution centers will need to avoid telling those who come for filters and water that they need to show an ID, and the signs that are posted saying an ID is needed need to come down.

With all the political trumpeting during this election cycle when presidential candidates are trying to outdo each other in being the most strict on immigration, deportation, and mile long walls, unauthorized immigrants could very well associate government with immigration enforcement and deportation which will make them wary of contact with government.

This is dangerous in Flint, especially as private charities like Cruz’s put stipulations on aid, and the only other recourse is the government which can deport you if you cannot produce an ID.

 

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