America is a nation of people from diverse backgrounds, working together for peace and prosperity, and welcoming others with the same goals. However, current immigration policy defies that notion. Prospective immigrants are deprived of human rights, to the horrendous extent of separating babies from their parents, with the stated aim of terrorizing people so they no longer want to come here.

Now, immigrants and asylum seekers here legally are being harassed and imprisoned. Here is just one example. Recently, a young man drove into Nashua in his sister’s car, with Florida plates. He carried documents showing that his application for asylum was filed and under review. By law, he is allowed to stay in the U.S. through this process. He had a valid Venezuelan driver’s license but was unaware that the law required him also to carry an international driver’s license. It was on this basis that the car was impounded and he was handcuffed and driven to Manchester. There he was shackled and detained for 5 hours, while friends scrambled to discover where he had been taken.

Bail was set at $14,000, and he was taken to the detention center, where his costs piled up. There was towing the car plus $75/day impound fee. Three small meals a day and books were free, but everything else would cost. Clean socks or underwear, a different shirt, snacks, phone calls? All were available at a premium. Payment could only be made via a tablet, which they’re happy to sell to you.

Then there was the lawyer’s fee. He charged $3000 to get bail reduced to $3,000. Finally, after 5 weeks, this young man was able to pay up and be released. He had friends and relatives to support him through it. Many others aren’t so lucky and fare far worse.

Make no mistake: This abuse of government authority is not an accident. It is policy, created and implemented by the Steve Bannon/Steven Miller wing of the Trump administration to harass and detain immigrants. They see it as a campaign tool to mobilize ongoing support for his policies. Miller has repeatedly called it “constructive controversy.”

Who benefits? Not our nation. Diversity benefits America, whether the entrenched power structure wants to admit it or not. Not taxpayers. We’re forking over a bundle to enrich the for-profit prisons and detention centers with no evidence that this is buying us one more ounce of security. Not the 75% of Americans opposed to this mistreatment of other humans.

Midterm elections are our opportunity to right these wrongs. We can elect leaders to city, state, and national offices who will pledge to restore DACA, return funding to immigration courts, uphold the rule of law, and act as a brake on Executive abuse of power. Learn about the candidates. Welcome political canvassers at your door, and give them the opportunity to inform you. Know which sources you trust, and discover who it is that stands for your beliefs. We are the majority, and we must make our voice heard loud and clear at the polls this month and in November.