Doesn’t everyone deserve the chance to be happy? Doesn’t everyone deserve the chance to live their life in peace? Doesn’t everyone deserve time where they don’t have to fear for their lives?

I’m not someone who knows about our politics, I’m not really interested in them. However I believe what I believe, and I’m very passionate. In past years there has been a common theme of migration among social media and news headlines. Most recently the migrant caravan marching north through Mexico to the United States. This caravan contains people from Central America, mainly Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras who are fleeing from their countries due to corruption, poverty and violence. Many migrant advocacy groups work together to create this caravan annually, with the thinking of there is strength in numbers. This year nearly 7,000 people are marching north, with the number constantly increasing. Despite constant push back from Mexico and the United States Government many have continued their march to the United States, others stropping in Mexico.

I do know the majority of people involved are desperate for salvation. They seek asylum, a safe place where they can start new lives. They are humans, as are we, and I’ve always been taught that people help people. So when our president, Donald Trump, finally chose to speak out about the situation on his personal Twitter account, I was saddened at what I found.

Our president tweeted,” The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large caravan of people heading the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately.” From then on, Trump has been vocal on the issue as he has constantly threatened to retract aid to the countries in question. He also continues to express his beliefs that there are terrorists mixed in. All while managing to blame the Democratic Party for the caravan the entire time.

First, if there are so many problems in the areas we are supposedly aiding maybe we, as a country need to do more. Maybe then, immigration wouldn’t be such a problem. We need to go to the root of the problem, not just the branches. Second, there has been no evidence of terrorists among those who march. Just proof of frightened people trying to have better lives. Next, how is more violence going to make the situation better? It will just cause more death and destruction which is exactly what these people are trying to avoid. Finally, this caravan is not a political movement. It’s people’s lives. They are trying to escape their harsh realities for better ones. A way to actually live their lives instead of live in fear for themselves.

If Donald Trump found his privileged self in any one of these people’s lives back in their home countries before the caravan began it’s march, he would be doing the same as they are now. And if not it’d be because he had given up a long time ago. These people need help, they just wish for a better life. Wouldn’t you?