A 9-year-old Irish-born schoolboy with an undocumented Chinese mother is being sent back to China with no mercy shown even though he has no Chinese connection and does not speak the language.
Sound Familiar? Another nasty Trump story?
Not at all-- the Irish government.
Irish-born Eric Zhi Ying Xue and his mother, Leena, are facing immediate deportation after her last appeal to stay in Ireland was rejected in June.
It would not happen in Trump’s America for a very simple reason. No person born in the US can be deported as they are automatically citizens.
Read More: School rallies as student born in Ireland faces deportation to China
Eric's birth in Ireland however comes with no such guarantee. Being born there does not ensure citizenship. The government ruled he must return to China with his mother.
The nine-year old doesn't speak Chinese has never been there and has been brought up as a typical Irish boy would. He is in school, enjoys Irish sport and is considered a model child by his teachers.
No matter he must go.
On a scale of cruelty to a child it is right up there with splitting border children from parents. The Irish government has no moral high ground to condemn Trump immigration policy. Theirs is even more inhumane.
"I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice,” Abraham Lincoln once remarked. It is advice the Irish government should be happy to take.
“Over the past year, I’ve been working hard with Eric’s mother to stop her family from being plucked out of their home," parliamentary deputy Stephen Donnelly said.
"I’ve written to the Justice Minister on their behalf and have tried to convince the authorities how cruel it would be to send young Eric to the other end of the world from the only home he has ever known."
Eric was born and raised here. He doesn’t speak Chinese and, as far as I’m concerned, he is Irish.
"We must remember that he wasn't born in China he will have no access to their health or education system if he's sent there.
“Deporting him under these circumstances would be inhumane. And I’m not alone in this belief; tens of thousands of people have already signed a petition set up by Eric’s school, St Cronan’s."
I stand with Eric Zhi Ying Xue in Bray. He is 9. He is Irish. He was born in Holles Street. He is part of our community. On humanitarian grounds alone, this should be resolved. Common sense must prevail. Have made representations to that effect.
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) October 18, 2018
Almost 40,000 people have added their names to the petition.
"Citizenship should be granted to little Eric straight away and his mother should be given permission to reside so she can continue to raise him in the caring and loving environment she has developed in Bray for her son."
The Health Minister Simon Harris has also made clear voiced his support for Eric.
He tweeted to say Eric is Irish and "part of our community.”
Read More: A kinder, gentler resistance is needed when dealing with modern US immigration issues
"I stand with Eric Zhi Ying Xue in Bray," he said.
"He is 9. He is Irish. He was born in Holles Street.(Dublin maternity hospital) He is part of our community.
"On humanitarian grounds alone, this should be resolved. Common sense must prevail. Have made representations to that effect."
We will see. The reputation of the land of a hundred thousand welcomes is on the line.
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