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*** UPDATED 1 *** Did he actually say anything?

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Posted by Barton Lorimor

* What can actually be extracted from Gov. Rauner’s comments on President Trump’s zero-tolerance policy?

As Hannah posted yesterday afternoon, here is the Governor’s response to a question about whether he will rescind his offer to send National Guard troops to the border if asked to do so by the President…

“I’m not giving that any thought whatsoever,” Rauner said.

Because you made your decision and you are satisfied with what you said in April? Because there are more significant issues to think about than what has become an international black mark for our country?

I don’t know what this means.

More…

“We’ve been in communication with the White House. We’ve been in communication with members of Congress,” Rauner said at an event announcing a university partnership and a $500 million corporate sponsor for the proposed Discovery Partners Institute in the South Loop.

Rauner, too, reiterated that he believes the zero-tolerance immigration policy is “bad policy,” “wrong,” “heartbreaking” and “not the moral thing to do.”

He did not specify who is to blame for the policy, or name President Donald Trump or any congressional leaders in his answers to questions.

Asked about the communications with the federal government — whom Rauner spoke with and what he requested — the governor’s office released a statement saying there is “constant communication with our congressional delegation and the White House.”

“By maintaining these relationships we are able to discuss important issues, like ending this bad policy,” Rauner spokeswoman Rachel Bold said in a statement.

If it’s “bad policy” and “not the moral thing to do,” why has he not given any thought to rescinding his National Guard offer?

Look at the language in Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s announcement that he will recall his state’s National Guard…


Until this policy of separating children from their families has been rescinded, Maryland will not deploy any National Guard resources to the border. Earlier this morning, I ordered our 4 crewmembers & helicopter to immediately return from where they were stationed in New Mexico. https://t.co/TEfkUXF7ZN

— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) June 19, 2018

He does not name Trump other than to say he should be a part of the solution, he does not assign blame to Democrats, and yet, although he does not specify what the solution is, he backs up his condemnation with action instead of letting us imagine what phrases like “in constant communication with the White House” means.

By the way, for those keeping score, Hogan is a Republican in a traditionally Democratic state facing re-election. His announcement came on the heels of one from Charlie Baker, also a Republican governor in a state where Democrats out-number Republicans 2:1.

* What is happening at the border is not going away, and it is not confined to whatever ends up happening with the National Guard. The kids we see being mocked as they cry for Mommy and Daddy lying on floor mats under foil blankets are not staying behind the fences in a warehouse in the middle of the desert. How will the Governor react when these kids make it to Illinois? Very soon, this will be about how we as a society provide for these kids that we put in a situation where they are reliant on us for the most basic human necessities like food, shelter, health care, and education.

I spoke with officials in Michigan earlier this morning who are preparing for their arrival as the Federal government starts contracting with foster care groups there…

“While the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, along with people all over the nation, decry the forced separation of children from their parents taking place on our southern border, the policy is a federal issue and beyond the scope of this department’s responsibilities under law. But for those children who have been separated from their parents and brought to Michigan, the Department of Civil Rights has a duty to make sure their civil rights are protected.”

“This week, I have been in touch with various agencies and organizations working with these vulnerable children. We have received reports and are very concerned that the children arriving here are much younger than those who have been transported here in the past. Some of the children are infants as young as three months of age and are completely unable to advocate for themselves. While we commend the work of resettlement agencies in Michigan attempting to serve these children with dignity and compassion, nothing can replace the love, sense of security and care of a parent.”

“I take very seriously our responsibility under state law to see to it that the civil rights of every person in this state, especially these vulnerable children in crisis, are protected. We will continue to monitor this situation closely to ensure the rights of these children are protected to the fullest extent.”

I asked the Governor’s Office and a few of the executive agencies if they know if any of the children directly affected by this zero-tolerance policy are already in Illinois, what programs and services they might be able to partake in and if they are confident they can provide those services. No response as of yet.

* Even if you were to look at this from a purely public relations standpoint, holding this course allowsmore time for criticism of the chief executive…

Today, Congressman Krishnamoorthi released the following statement urging Governor Rauner to refuse to deploy the Illinois National Guard to the US Border:

“The policies and procedures that the Trump Administration have taken with regards to separating children from their families when entering this country are immoral and inhumane. This is a moment for every public official to decide if they will be complicit in their detention of children for the sole purposes of extracting pain on their parents. So far, the Governors of Maryland, Massachusetts, and other states have taken the moral stance that they will not allow their National Guard troops to participate in any activities on the border until the situation changes. Today I am formally calling on Governor Rauner not to deploy any Illinois National Guard troops to the southern border until the Administration changes its policy of child detention and family separation.”

As Pope Francis observed when he weighed in on border security, “It’s not easy, but populism is not the solution.”

*** 2:22 p.m. - ***Like I said, this is not going away (emphasis added)…

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would sign an executive order on immigration on Wednesday to end the immediate separation of immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border, which has sparked outrage in the United States and abroad.

An administration official said Trump would sign an order that would require immigrant families to be detained together if they are caught crossing the border illegally. Trump previously had insisted his hands were tied on the separation policy.

The order also would move parents with children to the front of the line for immigration proceedings but would not end a “zero tolerance” policy that urges criminal prosecution of immigrants crossing the border illegally, the official said.

* Related…

* What’s Fueling Trump’s Rise in the Polls

* DGA: Why Won’t Rauner Say Where He Stands on Trump’s Immigration Policies?

* Action 2: Tell Rauner to Refuse to Send the National Guard to the Border

* Attorney General Madigan reacts to Federal administration’s inhumane immigration policies

* Raoul speaks out on Trump border separation policy

* American Airlines tells feds not to use its planes to carry migrant children separated at border

* What We Know: Family Separation And ‘Zero Tolerance’ At The Border

* Governors Refuse to Send National Guard to Border, Citing Child Separation Practice

* For Migrant Families in Mexico, Threat of Separation Puts Plans in Doubt: And an increasing number, migrants’ advocates say, will heed the siren call of human smugglers, who will try to use the separation policy to sell their services, arguing that they are the migrants’ best hope for getting across the border and holding onto their children. The smugglers will even be able to increase their prices for the work as a result of the Trump administration’s policy, advocates predict. “Any restrictive measure in terms of migration and refuge is going to favor the business of the transnational criminal networks,” said Ramón Márquez, director of La 72, a migrant shelter in Tenosique, Mexico.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 1:32 pm

Comments

  1. I doubt Rauner has thoughts to spare beyond making deals to make himself richer, and maybe how to score an astronaut uniform for his next costume.

    Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 1:40 pm

  2. “Did he actually say anything?”

    No. Next question.

    Comment by Perrid Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 1:48 pm

  3. JB needs to make a statement ASAP to show just how indecisive and uncaring Rauner can be.

    Comment by I Miss Bentohs Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 1:49 pm

  4. Is Bruce Rauner so politically calculating or does he truly not care? Focus…focus…the system is broken…the system is broken.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 1:49 pm

  5. ==Is Bruce Rauner so politically calculating or does he truly not care? Focus…focus…the system is broken…the system is broken.==

    I don’t know, but I would think Diana Rauner would care and say something. Her life’s work is all about protecting young children from trauma. It’s in the name of her agency for heaven’s sake. She calls herself champion of children on her Twitter site. Other first ladies have spoken up. Why the silence?

    Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 1:58 pm

  6. Bruce Rauner is afraid of Trump.

    Rauner is afraid of a Trump tweet…

    FakeRealFakeDonaldJTrumpFake - The worst Republican governor in America Bruce Rauner is taking back his troops. He is weak on borders and crime and is failing Illinois. I’m more popular than he is. Illinois deserves better #Sad

    No one that’s a Raunerite will even say or type the *word* Trump.

    Speaks volumes about Gov. Rauner when so many governors, both parties, won’t let Trump off the hook.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 2:01 pm

  7. Rauner can’t decide if he wants to be anti-Trump or pro-Trump yet.

    It really shouldn’t be a tough call for him. I mean, it’s not like the Trumpiest of Trump voters would ever consider voting for Rauner. He might as well go full-on Blue State Republican and put as much distance as possible between he and the President.

    If he’s really lucky, he’ll be on the receiving end of a Trump Tweet. But he’s going to have to earn it. What is he waiting for? They served it to him on a silver platter yesterday and he whiffed.

    Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 2:04 pm

  8. The Ounce signed on to a Children’s Defense Fund Letter, and showcased it on Twitter with a short note from their President, Diana Rauner: https://twitter.com/theounce/status/1009501247899127810?s=21

    Comment by DriXander Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 2:05 pm

  9. Good. Every bit helps.

    Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 2:17 pm

  10. ===The Ounce signed on to a Children’s Defense Fund Letter, and showcased it on Twitter with a short note from their President, Diana Rauner:===

    It was a… business decision.

    Right? Exactly right.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 2:20 pm

  11. ===Trump previously had insisted his hands were tied on the separation policy===

    A bunch of folks here and elsewhere spent a good deal of time and what’s left of their moral compasses to defend the President, who tried to blame others for his policy choice to separate families.

    I can’t believe so many could try to defend the indefensible, but yet, here we are. Ouch. How does that feel? Those are tire marks on your soul.

    Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 2:29 pm

  12. So we’re clear.

    Trump signed a reversal of policy a short time ago.

    It was a policy, not a law.

    The policy is being reversed now.

    Trump had the control of the policy the entire time, not congress.

    Where was Rauner?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 2:31 pm

  13. I don’t know, but I would think Diana Rauner would care and say something. Her life’s work is all about protecting young children from trauma. It’s in the name of her agency for heaven’s sake. She calls herself champion of children on her Twitter site. Other first ladies have spoken up. Why the silence?

    One would think that if Diane really cared about kids on trauma she would have done something during the 3 years when Rauner was depriving social service agencies of money. Think how much trauma that imposed on kids. She cares about kids only to have cocktail party banter.

    Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 2:34 pm

  14. –I don’t know what this means.–

    It means Rauner’s an amoral coward who can’t decide which way to bounce would benefit him personally.

    He had no problem making a lot of noise about keeping hyper-vetted Syrian refugees from Illinois when he thought that was “good politics” for him.

    Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 2:34 pm

  15. Rauner is contradictory in the weirdest ways. He signs the immigration protection bill (aka sanctuary state bill), but he was adamant about banning Syrian refugees from IL and wants to send our national guard to the boarder to keep Hispanics out of the US.

    Comment by Ike Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 2:45 pm

  16. United and American gave it a thought. Count them out.

    Geez, when corporate America can take a moral stand, but the Illinois governor can’t….

    http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180620/NEWS02/180629985/united-american-airlines-to-feds-do-not-put-detained-immigrant-kids#utm_medium=email&utm_source=ccb-dailyalert&utm_campaign=ccb-dailyalert-20180620

    Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 2:47 pm

  17. Ike, no contradictions. It’s all self-interest with Rauner. No moral compass necessary.

    Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 2:52 pm

  18. Any statement from AG candidate Harold??

    Comment by B-non Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 2:57 pm

  19. B-non@2:57

    From SJR: Erika Harold of Urbana, the Republican candidate for attorney general: “This policy of separating children from their parents is unconscionable and must end immediately. This is the result of our broken political culture in Washington and there needs to be a holistic reform of our broken immigration system now.”

    Comment by Perrid Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 3:09 pm

  20. This is Bruce Rauner. The costumes are used to distract and fool people. Rauner unleashed massive damage upon the state. He doesn’t care. Think about how much damage a multimillionaire caused just to knock down the rights of people who live paycheck to paycheck.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 3:11 pm

  21. Won’t this - Trump’s reversal- just keep the families together for a short time? If/when their parents get prosecuted and convicted, their parents will go to jail for months or years, and the kids will have to enter the system again.

    Comment by Perrid Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 3:11 pm

  22. Politics.

    Comment by Saluki Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 3:13 pm

  23. –“This policy of separating children from their parents is unconscionable and must end immediately. This is the result of our broken political culture in Washington…–

    Actually, the likes of Kelly, Sessions, and Miller are on the record publicly saying it was all about deterring future asylum seekers.

    And on the down-low, administration types were quoted anonymously saying it was meant to squeeze $25 billion immediately out of Congress for the fakakta wall.

    It’s important for lawyers to do the reading.

    Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 3:14 pm

  24. Someone should ask Ms. Harold who implimented this specific policy to remove children from their parents, and while you have her attention, who reversed the policy, by signature, that we all were told couldn’t be done… by signature.

    Ask Ms. Harold. Will she still say a broken Washington policy?

    Hmm.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 3:17 pm

  25. ===If/when their parents get prosecuted and convicted, their parents will go to jail for months or years, and the kids will have to enter the system again.===

    Most of the families caught up in this mess are seeking asylum, based on a legitimate fear of harm if they are forced to return to their home country. Those cases will be adjudicated and most will be denied asylum and will be denied legal entry. Some of these might also be charged with misdemeanors for attempting to cross the border, but none will go to prison for that, even if they are convicted.

    To be charged with a felony for illegal border crossing, the person would have to have been previously deported or previously convicted of a similar offense. There might be a few cases where jail time might apply, but the remaining 99% are not facing jail time at all.

    You could do a few minutes of research too before asking people who know what they are talking about to stop and help you think this through. Your concern for these people is, of course, noted.

    Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 3:20 pm

  26. “I’m not giving that any thought whatsoever,” Rauner said…describing his political philosophy.

    #NotInChargeofHisOwnThoughts?

    Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 3:36 pm

  27. @47th Ward,
    This article from politico actually prompted my comment. It suggests that families that apply for asylum at a port of entry are NOT the ones being separated. So families that do not apply at a port, but cross the border “illegally” and then apply after the fact would be the ones impacted, and I’m not certain they would not face jail time. The article says first time offenders could face up to 6 months in jail.
    https://www.politico.com/interactives/2018/family-separation-at-the-border-explained/

    Comment by Perrid Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 3:37 pm

  28. Perrid: Politico noted that the ACLU disagreed with a key claim in the story you linked to.

    Here’s more:

    https://www.aclu.org/blog/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-and-detention/fact-checking-family-separation

    Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 3:48 pm

  29. ==One would think that if Diane really cared about kids on trauma she would have done something during the 3 years when Rauner was depriving social service agencies of money. Think how much trauma that imposed on kids. ==

    The Democrats made a choice to hold the state hostage rather than negotiate with Rauner. Their unsustainable policies and refusal to consider options for Illinois’s future is part and parcel of the story. We own our shame as voters. This is our state and no one else’s.

    Comment by Chris Widger Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 4:03 pm

  30. “it was meant to squeeze $25 billion immediately out of Congress for the fakakta wall”

    Very Rauneresque. I’m not sure I understand those who say Democrats should not run against Trump in the midterms. Didn’t conservatives run against Obama and his policies, much to their success? I think Rauner should be tied to Trump.

    Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 4:08 pm

  31. ==U.S. President Donald Trump said he would sign an executive order on immigration on Wednesday to end the immediate separation of immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border, which has sparked outrage in the United States and abroad.==

    That can’t be right. Several real life posters and one computer program spent several hours last night trying to convince us all that this policy: a) was not a policy that glorious leader put in place, but a law; b) the fault of Democratic members of Congress; c) could not be rescinded because of the need to conform with some 20 year old consent decree; d) was necessary because sneaking across our border is a far more serious crime than our president thieving money from a veterans charity to pay for giant paintings of himself to hang in his golf resorts

    Are you telling me our conservative friends here at Capfax were being less than truthful with us yesterday? Hard to believe.

    Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 4:11 pm

  32. Maybe one day he’ll find the courage to support the Normandy Invasion.

    Comment by Albany Park Patriot Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 4:15 pm

  33. I don’t know why you should know what Rauner means. Even Rauner himself doesn’t know.

    Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 4:20 pm

  34. ===The Democrats made a choice to hold the state hostage rather than negotiate with Rauner.===

    That might work on a local newspaper site, or even in the Tribune’s comment section. Unfortunately we pay attention here. You can keep repeating that nonsense and hope people believe it, but you’re not going to find many takers here.

    Rauner wasn’t interested in negotiatin’, he was demandin’ capitulation. Words have meaning and you can’t rewrite history.

    Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 4:40 pm

  35. ===The Democrats made a choice to hold the state hostage rather than negotiate with Rauner.===

    “I’m frustrated too but taking steps to reform Illinois is more important than a short term budget stalemate”

    Like - 47th Ward - said… you have the wrong audience.

    It’s not up for debate, discussion, argument… Rauner held the state hostage… the Owl told us all early on.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 4:43 pm

  36. ==The Democrats made a choice to hold the state hostage rather than negotiate with Rauner.==

    Nah. Rauner started off asking the Dems to let the tax cut expire, and they did. Turned out to be a huge mistake, but they honored his request in good faith. They put votes on a property tax freeze, but since it didn’t include measures to whack the unions, he called it a sham. Madigan expressed desire to work out more workers comp reform, even specifically suggesting a causation standard, and Rauner didn’t bite.

    Rauner insisted on an all-or-nothing position. That, and only that, is why he got nothing.

    Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 4:46 pm

  37. Thing is, Rauner’s all-thing-to-all-people routine here actually probably is the smartest play, it’s just that it only really works if people don’t already hate you.

    Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 5:07 pm

  38. Governor Sanctuary State doesn’t make stands on these issues until he does./s

    Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 5:38 pm

  39. And after all these weeks of controversy over family separation, the A-Team at the White House can’t even spell the word correctly — or catch the mistake — on the official executive order.

    http://thehill.com/latino/393313-white-house-misspells-separation-on-executive-order-ending-family-separations

    Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 6:09 pm

  40. - Chris Widget -

    ===This comment section isn’t really for analyzing politics or learning things. Let’s face it: This is the most expensive state election in the history of the country. Giving a bunch of people small stipends to make sure the narrative is on “your side” is so cheap and important that it’d be electoral malfeasance for Pritzker not to do that.===

    Use your big kids’ words…

    You should just try to refute instead of mislabeling a whole comment section.

    Capiche?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 6:26 pm

  41. “I”m not giving that any thought whatsoever”, the govenor doesn’t think about his decisions

    Comment by Rabid Thursday, Jun 21, 18 @ 5:14 am

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