We are a world of immigrants, and definitely a county built upon the strength and diversity of immigrants and refugees. Every generation has faced uncertainty and change associated with immigration. The indigenous population is the first to have faced this, even if, with all due respect, they were immigrants too. We have a rich history of skepticism, intolerance, discrimination, and isolation of every new wave of peoples coming to our borders. However, with time we, as a communal society, found commonality and mutual benefit from the new cultures and beliefs. This social ‘great melting pot’ absorbing and blending all of us into the continually changing primordial blend which makes us unique to the world.
We are now facing the two new waves of immigration which we must address with confidence and knowledge from the past. One wave is coming to us because we remain the great hope to the north. Economic poverty and abhorrent living conditions, to levels most of us can not comprehend, are driving fathers, mothers, and entire families to risk everything, including their lives, to cross our borders in pursuit of a better life. The second wave is of refugees fleeing their home countries to avoid the travesties and horror of war and genocide. This isn’t the first group to run to this country for safe haven and let’s hope it won’t be the last. These refugees are burdened with our predetermined preference to Judo-Christianity, as they are Islamic. They are also burdened with the inconvenient truth, that all Muslims aren’t terrorists but all current terrorists are. It is also disturbingly unfortunate that radical factions of Islam are using the mass national exodus as a means to spread terror throughout countries who are absorbing those escaping horror.
Whom among us can begrudge these immigrants and refugees the noble desire to seek a better life,safety, and freedom. They are willing to do work which, we know is essential but, would never consider doing ourselves, because it is ‘too demeaning’ for our pampered, ‘you owe me’ citizenry. But not for them, it is the beginning they need and want, and far better than what they left.
We need an immigration system which protects our borders while embracing those who seek our safety and opportunities. A system which is blind and indifferent to country of origin, religion, or orientation. A system which protects us against terrorism; but always know, those who choose to use terror and violence know no borders. A system which aggressively removes those who came illegally and have committed crimes against us; but also, a system which has a clear path, for those who have not, to become one of us as our fellow citizens. A system which can be held as the standard of fairness and thoroughness. A system which allows us to form a Union of people, stronger and better because we are together and building upon our individual strengths rather than separated and divided by our differences. This won’t be easy. However, because of our diversity we are singularly the nation capable of finding a solution.
As a nation started and continually built upon by immigrants, we will find ways and means to embrace the current immigrations and those to come. We are a country founded by those escaping tyranny and religious persecution. There will always be fear and uncertainty of those we don’t know or understand. We can not become a country which makes decisions promoting isolation, discrimination, or persecution. We are a representative republic whose laws are based on majority rules and minority rights. If we stand by this principle we shouldn’t be afraid to become apart of the minority. If we don’t stand upon the premise, we will forever fear those who are ‘different’ for fear that someday they will be the majority and treat us as we have treated them.
simplebender 