My friend Paris Parfait brought to my attention this morning a really moving story about French families who are risking jail time to shelter the children of illegal immigrant parents who are at great risk being deported due to a government crack-down.
Whether or not you have strong feelings on either side of the whole illegal immigrant issue (whether here in the U.S. or elsewhere), I think we can all agree that children are the innocents here: they live where and how their parents decide they will live, and they didn't choose to be "illegal". And in France, many of these illegal immigrants are from war-torn African countries where going back would probably mean a death sentence because of lack of jobs, poor living conditions, political unrest -- and genocide. For many of these children, France is the only home they can even remember, having been very young when their parents first emigrated.
So hearing that once again, the French people are stepping up to the plate to hide and protect these children and to give them a chance at a better life in France -- just as many brave French people did in WWII when Jewish children were being shipped to concentration camps in cattle cars -- how can you not respect that about the French? Many people in many countries SAY that they care about the welfare and rights of children... but how many private citizens are willing to take a big risk to LIVE those values?
Bravo to those French families who have opened their hearts and homes to help these children! Bien fait!
