separation and the detainment of immigrant parents and their children

separation and the detainment of immigrant parents and their children

 One ethical issue that currently affects my community and the entire country is the separation and the detainment of immigrant parents and their children. The problem involves the split and incarceration of children and parents due to the citizenship position within the US. The detention facilities have existed for long, but the issue has been exposed after the zero-tolerance policy by Trump. Despite the situation, it is wrong to split children and their parents and hold them captive.

Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2018/06/06/does-the-u-s-keep-immigrant-children-in-cages/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.2c8eb765b543.

Theory

            In this issue, I think the theory that applies the most is Deontology. Deontological ethics ‘focus on the action itself’ (Thames, 2018). The act of detaining children due to their citizenship status is unethical. Most detained immigrants in McAllen (Texas) immigrated from Mexico border, which is not far. Instead of holding them, the most appropriate action would be to place them on a bus to take them back home. Emigrants from other countries can also be sent back to their countries to prevent child imprisonment.

Evaluating the Reasoning

1. The deontological ethical view of the problem varies from the way Trump’s administration is presently handling it. They appear to apply a utilitarianism approach. Probably they are looking at it from a greater-good stance. But does this really support the act of splitting family to achieve a greater good? No matter how I view the issue, it is still wrong on all levels.
2. Deontology presents a more appropriate perspective than utilitarianism in this particular issue. Not every family that is being mistreated in this case is a threat to the greatest good. Hence, more hurt is inflicted on these families than the entire US population.

• Deontology offers a sufficient response to this ethical situation involving that it is wrong to split families due to their immigration status. The act is very immoral; however, it does not ignore the fact that something needs to be done to rectify the issue altogether. Sending these families back to their roots may not resolve the issue, but it solves the ethical issue involving separation and detention of families.

1. The application of the theory raises the challenge of the transport required to send illegal immigrants back to their homes. However, I still think it is more costly to feed, accommodate, offer healthcare, and clothe these immigrants as they await prosecution.
2. The deontological principle classifying the act is immoral cannot resolve the issue but only presents the fact. It is senseless to classify an issue as immoral and fail to act. The theory has to be applied together with a solution to rectify the issue. Identifying a solution requires a profound thought and examination of various aspects and how each party may be affected.

References

Thames, B. (2018). How Should One Live? An Introduction to Ethics and Moral Reasoning.