It is a time of unprecedented confusion and chaos in immigration. Where are the oversight agencies that should be enforcing “the rule of law”?
Sean’s Monologue: Illegal Detention & Deportation
Today Coup Save America invites Andy Semotiuk, a highly experienced immigration attorney, to talk about the deportation debacle that is erupting so fanatically in Trump’s second term. Andy is quick to assure us that the vast majority of immigrants are NOT criminals, but simply people attempting to survive as they escape dire circumstances in their home countries. He explains that the main category of illegal immigrants are folks who have simply overstayed their visitors’ visas.
“What I see is martial law in slow motion,” Andy tells us, as he and Sean wonder if all of this immigration chaos is a part of an agenda to prepare for the midterm elections. Andy defines a country’s “rule of law” as “a predictable state of existence in society”, then he goes on to explain the set-up of powers in the United States that is responsible for enforcing this rule of law. Where are the checks and balances now? Andy talks about how attempting to deport a plane full of children in the middle of the night on Labor Day weekend is a litmus test of where our country is trying to take us.
Andy goes on to blame the problems in our nation on its disparity of wealth, echoing a common theme of Coup Save America. He wonders why the cluster of “progressive” oligarchs surrounding Trump aren’t calling him out. Wouldn’t it be in their best interest to be leaders in the fight for freedom of speech and liberalism? And has America decided that we no longer need allies?
Sean and Andy discuss the culture of fear that keeps everyone quiet, and Andy expresses horror at the recent attacks on our most prestigious educational institutions. They talk about the people who still won’t acknowledge that Trump lost the election in 2020, the tragedies of the Ukraine and Gaza, and if the Democratic Party is complicit in democracy’s decline. Are the people who do speak out being genuine or merely pandering for political leverage?
Switching gears, Andy and Sean discuss the general state of America. With his experience living in both CA’s – Canada and California – Andy can speak with authority about the “checkerboard quality” of both education and healthcare in the United States. He feels that we should do better at teaching children to be critical thinkers, we should admit to our mistakes instead of doubling down on stupidity, and we should read more books and listen to fewer podcasts – hypocrisy fully acknowledged!
Returning to the show’s main topic, Andy explains to us that the plight of immigration, much like climate change, is a bigger problem than the United States can handle on its own. There is a world refugee crisis, and it requires a world solution. However, Andy feels hopeful about our future. Listen to hear why he has optimism and for his wild guess on when things will get better in the world.
Andy talks about why it’s false to believe that illegal residents have no rights, and he tells us that comprehensive immigration reform should be the number one target for Congress. He goes over the problems we currently face when it comes to immigration law, and he gives his recommendations for people who are approached by I.C.E. or the police. We conclude the episode by hearing stories of Andy’s most shocking immigration cases, talking about non-binary and trans immigrants, and discussing the impact of removing temporary protective statuses.
Andy Semotiuk can be reached by visiting:
Andy Semotiuk
Attorney, Author, Journalist
Andy J. Semotiuk is a U.S. and Canadian immigration and human rights lawyer based in Toronto, practicing at Pace Law Firm. A member of the bars of New York, California, Ontario, and British Columbia, he practiced law in Los Angeles for ten years, worked in New York for five, and is now practicing law in Toronto. A former United Nations correspondent in New York and long-time Forbes contributor whose articles on immigration have been read by over one million readers, he brings his global insights to discussions about law, migration, and human rights. He served for three years on the Tribunal Panel of the Canadian Human Rights Commission and is a Senior Advisor to the Centre for Eastern European Democracy. A past President of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation and a Distinguished Toastmaster, he has taught at universities in the U.S. and Canada. He is the author of four books, including The Young Professional, and remains a leading voice on refugee and human rights issues.
