It is so easy to point to the current party and blame them for the growing border crisis. But these critics fail to explain why they have fought for any meaningful immigration reform.
It is clear by looking backward to see that USA’s political, economic, and military policies have allowed the current conditions in so many countries to the south of us and in the Caribbean to deteriorate.
People don’t sell their land or borrow money to reach the USA border thinking that it is like taking a vacation to Disneyland. They risk further financial ruin, being robbed, beaten, killed, or held hostage for ransom. In the case of women, there is the fear of being raped.
When they get to the border, they find all the shelters full, finding instead perhaps a tent, perhaps some water or food, and tons of misinformation by coyotes and others. In addition, the internet application for asylum that Homeland Security has created is not working.
Imagine your ancestors, many who came from Europe who came to Ellis Island with only their hopes and dreams of a better life only to be rejected because they were ill or for some other unrealistic reason. At that time the settlement houses (shelters) in New York were overfilled.
Emma Lazarus, the Jewish poet, has been accorded the exceptional honor of eventually having her poem placed on the Statue of Liberty. On the inside of the pedestal of the statue of ‘Liberty Enlightening the World ‘on Bedloe’s Island has been placed a bronze memorial tablet bearing her name and the sonnet she wrote years ago, dedicated to the statue.
She was working in a settlement house (shelter) and saw first-hand the misery of these immigrants. There was much opposition to her poem but finally, it was approved.
The New Colossus
by Emma Lazarus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land.
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand.
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame.
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name?
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand.
Glows worldwide welcome; her mild eyes command.
The air-bridged harbor that the twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”.
When you read this poem, it reminds you of the promise that America holds. It is the dream of survival and freedom that brings people to our borders and our shores.
A boat carrying 937 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution was turned away from Havana, Cuba, on May 27, 1939. Only 28 immigrants are admitted into the country. After appeals to the United States and Canada for entry are denied, the rest are forced to sail back to Europe, where they’re distributed among several countries including Great Britain and France. Some were executed by the Nazis.
In the past weeks calls from destitute immigrants at the border and from those recently deported who struggle to survive ask us all to take steps to help them. The need is larger than the current resources.
At the same time, Ukrainians fleeing the war have been welcomed in greater numbers by many countries smaller than the USA.
Countries accepting the most Ukrainian refugees:
#1. Poland – Total recent Ukrainian refugee intake: 2,451,342
#2. Romania – Total recent Ukrainian refugee intake: 643,058
#3. Republic of Moldova – Total recent Ukrainian refugee intake: 394,740
#4. Hungary – Total recent Ukrainian refugee intake: 390,302
#5. Russian Federation – Total recent Ukrainian refugee intake: 350,632
#6. Slovakia – Total recent Ukrainian refugee intake: 301,405
And the USA only about 71,000
Ukrainians, Russians are others are also showing up on our southern border.
These past two years I have traveled by van across the USA and found hundreds and hundreds of miles unoccupied. This country has room for more workers. These immigrants coming to our country commit fewer crimes than our average citizens and are not a threat to the safety of our communities.
Since we have not had the courage to develop and pass a Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill, we must deal with today’s border issue with open hearts and arms. And we must look for new and innovative solutions.
At the same time, we must invest more time and money to stabilize our neighbors so that their citizens don’t have to flee their homelands.
We must open our doors to strangers, everyday.
