We are sickened by the way politicians and the media have portrayed these tragic losses. Politicians, like Rep. Rokita, are using these circumstances to their advantage to push their own agenda. However, we are not surprised by the racist and xenophobic spin the president and Washington are taking. Driving under the influence is a much larger issue that you cannot keep behind a wall, no matter how tall. It saddens our community to see lawmakers minimize the loss of these lives to instead criminalize and stereotype us. Getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, risking your life and others is a poor, selfish decision that does not have a status attached to it.

We also recognize the power that the media has in continuing to portray the undocumented community as criminals. Source after source continues to emphasize on the driver’s status while also not recognizing that this is a poor judgement decision that anyone, regardless of legal status, could make.

Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance