Our Los Angeles immigration attorneys, along with much of the rest of the nation, watched in horror last Saturday as Arizona's post-shooting details unfolded. Six dead. 14 wounded. Among the dead, a little girl and a federal judge. Among the injured: Congresswoman Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) shot, point-blank, in the head.
Then came the shooter's seeming gleeful mug shot grimace; a sparkle of madness in his eyes. Then, the requisite media spectacle which continues to play. And, with it, image after image after image. Victim snapshots. Mountains of flowers tucked with the occasional stuffed teddy bear. Wind-tossed Mylar balloons. Long still shots of hand-made well wishes and prayers. Another makeshift memorial. We are, if nothing else, a nation of expert mourners. In a strange way in our comprehensive loss and hope we are finally truly united.
If only momentarily.
There are countless roads of blame to meander when tragedies such as this occur. The paths are legion. Easily articulated. Challenging to remedy. Mental health. Gun control. (Thanks to Jan Brewer most Arizonans can carry concealed anywhere, anytime, no permit required the Daily Beast reports.) Law enforcement. Incendiary political speech. Media coverage. Teachers. Friends. Family. Of course, the suspect. The list is endless.
Here's a thought: there is always time to blame; perhaps now is a time to either set an example. Or follow one.
Reuters reports that Gabrielle Giffords is a member of the "blue dog" Democrats, a small tight-knit clan considered more conservative than their counterparts. Giffords is an ardent supporter, for example, of the Second Amendment. And, in one of the most contentious climates Giffords is like a cool hand to the fevered brow of immigration reform; even from the hot seat. Her district is at the epicenter of the immigration debate, spanning Tucson to the Mexican border. Her stance on immigration is centrists - hawkish on border enforcement, liberal when it comes to talking path-to-citizenship.
The alternative is to continue to perpetuate the hatred and the divisiveness. And what a dishonor that would be to the victims, the survivors and their family and friends.
With that said, as with all American tragedies, we come together yet the bond never holds. Within days of the tragedy both a Democrat and a Tea Party organizer told the Los Angeles Times they expected any toning down of rhetoric would be woefully short lived.
Our thoughts and prayers and best thoughts are with those who mourn this tragedy.
Orange immigration lawyers at Howard Law represent immigrants who have been charged with a crime or are facing deportation proceedings. The office offers confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-872-5925 or contact us through this website.
