Few things exemplify the dysfunction of American politics like the closure of the U.S. government, but few things warrant such histrionics as does the plight of America’s so-called DREAMer children.

Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and other Democrats were right to put an end to deceit and malfeasance by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans, choosing to protect innocent children engulfed in this country’s morbid immigration battle.

This shut-down isn’t about a political party putting the needs of illegal immigrants above those of the rest of America, it’s about averting a certain humanitarian crisis fueled by Trump and his extremist right-wing faction in Congress.

Former President Barack Obama compelled the country onto a path of common sense and decency in 2012 when he imposed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, DACA, by executive order. The measure gives children raised in the United States, brought here by their undocumented parents, a reprieve from the threat of deportation. Obama had no choice but to impose the awkward rules because a GOP-controlled Congress  has, for years, refused to enact realistic immigration reform. While illegal-immigrant adults are still suffering in political purgatory, at least those children who qualify for the DACA program have been shown some mercy. It’s a no-brainer.

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