America needs better solutions, not brute force

We need to have the public aware of what is happening in our county. Here is one glaring example.

On October 20, a 57-year-old man was roughly handled by three men, shoved into an unmarked car and whisked away. Left behind was a crying wife, 6 bewildered daughters and a small business in jeopardy.

Mr. Lin ran a small restaurant in Mount Morris for over 20 years. He worked 80 hours a week to provide for his family. 80 hours! He modeled a work ethic for children, taught them responsibility as they helped in the restaurant, and encouraged them in their schooling. All of his daughters have gone to college or are attending a college. Mr. Lin paid his local, state and federal taxes, maintained unblemished health standards and provided tasty meals for a grateful community. In short, he was a successful business man, a superb father and a welcome addition to the tight-knit village of Mount Morris.

So, what was the crime that required him to be dragged off like a common criminal? He didn’t properly file the appropriate papers to become a U.S. citizen. A misdemeanor.

In the wake of his extraction, a thriving business is in jeopardy, a family is shattered and a community has been left bewildered and angered.

What exactly does the government gain with such draconian measures? Nothing, except fear experienced by non-whites and animosity from the rest of the community.

What does the government lose? Obviously respect and trust. More practically, the government loses a thriving business. No more tax revenues, loss of employment and the very real possibility of the state paying welfare for his wife and children all of whom are American citizens.

Consider a better solution. ICE could have informed him of his misdemeanor and required him to show up in court with proper representation. Simple, sane and sensitive. Then, a resourceful judge might have been able to come up with a plan to remedy the situation. Perhaps get Mr. Lin back on track to become a citizen.

The truth is, except for not being able to vote, he already was an exemplary citizen in our country.

In this time of turmoil and divisiveness, America needs both empathy and clear thinking, not brute force and rigid application of the law. And, we need people like Mr. Lin as citizens in our country.