Franklin child sex abuse victims should not be pawns in immigration politics | Opinion

Some Tennessee elected officials are conflating child sexual abuse and national immigration policy to stoke fear.

That’s wrong because the children who were allegedly sexually abused by a trusted authority figure in Franklin should not to be political pawns

They are victims and survivors of a heinous crime and their legal status – or that of their alleged rapist – is irrelevant to the horror perpetrated against them. They deserve respect, healing, and justice.

Let’s review what we know.

Franklin police announced in a news release on July 9 that they had arrested “popular” soccer coach Camilo Hurtado Campos, a 20-year city resident, based on videos found on his cell phone, allegedly showing him violating at least 10 boys, ages 9 to 17, who appeared to be drugged.

The man left his phone at a restaurant, and employees alerted the authorities when they saw the videos, according to official reports.

Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.

How the accused man’s immigration status became an issue

Victims and their families came forward and the police commended the Hispanic community for its cooperation. “We’re so thankful for your trust. If you or someone you love was a victim, we want to help get you the justice and closure you deserve,” police wrote in a July 12 tweet.

Earlier that day, the police also tweeted that they received “multiple inquiries” about Hurtado Campos’ immigration status: “In an interview with Homeland Security, Campos admitted that he is in the U.S. illegally.”

That information ignited a firestorm of social media condemnation of the White House’s U.S.-Mexico border policies and demands to finish building the border wall.

Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, was understandably angry that this crime happened in his community, but then he decided to make the issue about border security.

Johnson tweeted a clip from his interview with Fox 17 News, writing on July 14: “We MUST secure our southern border so we never see this kind of monstrous behavior in our state ever again. My prayers and sympathy go out to the families of these innocent victims.”

In addition, Tennessee U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and eight members of the state's congressional delegation wrote a letter on Monday to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas call the crime “entirely preventable.”

However, sexual abuse knows no boundaries or nationalities. Children have faced sexual abuse at home and in their religious communities.

The YWCA’s fact sheet on child sexual abuse says: “About 93% of children who are victims of sexual abuse know their abuser.”

Sign up for Latino Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling stories for and with the Latino community in Tennessee. 

Sign up for Black Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling columns by Black writers from across Tennessee. 

Protecting children means undocumented kids too

The Tennessean reported that it’s likely these children agreed to play soccer for Hurtado Campos because of their lack of legal immigration status. That allowed Hurtado Campos to escape oversight because he was not part of an officially sanctioned soccer league.

Senator Johnson and many of his Republican colleagues have made protecting the children the basis for legislation.

He sponsored or supported legislation banning gender-affirming care for minors and prohibiting children from attending drag performances on the basis of protecting children.

And now he’s making that same political point to influence immigration policy.

While border security rhetoric can rile up a segment of voters, it also has a damaging effect on children and families by discouraging them from cooperating with authorities because they may fear arrest or deportation.

The Franklin police were right to encourage cooperation from anyone who is a crime victim.

Leave the politics aside and focus on the victims and their needs, and then on ensuring that their assailant – and others who commit these horrible crimes – are held accountable.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Franklin child sex abuse victims should not be political pawns