My parents didn’t speak English, but that didn’t lessen their ability to be great parents. The language a parent speaks should not be the basis a judge uses to determine a parent’s ability to raise their own children. It’s outrageous, that a judge can use the courtroom to threaten immigrant women of losing their parental rights if they don’t learn English. In one case, Judge Tatum told an 18-year-old woman from Mexico to learn English and use birth control. Unbelievable! I believe the woman should be the one to decide whether she wants to use birth control or learn English, not the Judge. Although, it’s a necessity and helpful to speak English if a person decides to live in America, it shouldn’t be forced upon them. Additionally, in a separate case, Judge Tatum tells a Mexican mother, with an eleven-year-old daughter, that if she doesn’t make the effort to learn English in six months she runs the risk of losing any connection with her daughter forever. What! There is something flawed in our legal system when a Judge can order the termination of parental rights because a mother doesn’t speak English. I firmly disagree with Judge Tatum, and the sanctions he imposes on immigrant
My parents didn’t speak English, but that didn’t lessen their ability to be great parents. The language a parent speaks should not be the basis a judge uses to determine a parent’s ability to raise their own children. It’s outrageous, that a judge can use the courtroom to threaten immigrant women of losing their parental rights if they don’t learn English. In one case, Judge Tatum told an 18-year-old woman from Mexico to learn English and use birth control. Unbelievable! I believe the woman should be the one to decide whether she wants to use birth control or learn English, not the Judge. Although, it’s a necessity and helpful to speak English if a person decides to live in America, it shouldn’t be forced upon them. Additionally, in a separate case, Judge Tatum tells a Mexican mother, with an eleven-year-old daughter, that if she doesn’t make the effort to learn English in six months she runs the risk of losing any connection with her daughter forever. What! There is something flawed in our legal system when a Judge can order the termination of parental rights because a mother doesn’t speak English. I firmly disagree with Judge Tatum, and the sanctions he imposes on immigrant