To separate a child from her mother by force, when all she has done is cross the border seeking help, is an act with grave moral consequence. To make a policy to do this, in order to discourage migration, is beneath the United States and unworthy of its leaders.

Such action cannot be made humane through good intentions or relatively safe confinement or clean facilities. It cannot be justified by a promise of fewer refugees deciding to come. America can work toward secure borders and orderly migration without resorting to such actions.

If people remain silent, we can expect it to continue and, if history is any judge, worse things will follow.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions should understand that cruelty is not strength, and fear is not what is needed. America is great because it is good. It cannot preserve its greatness by embracing the dark side.

Joe Makley, West Paris