Immigration is another political hot topic that has been featured in the news lately thanks to the election year and Obama's new stance for undocumented youth. Similar to his LGBT "evolution" it is a politically calculating move that may be a slap in the face to the record number of people deported under Obama's watch, nonetheless the result and message is a hopeful move in the right direction. This is an issue that I really have a tough time understanding how people can be so anti immigrant. From media and social commentary on the subject I think it comes down to flat out racism on the extreme end and ignorance, distrust and fear of the "other" on the more common end. In this post I aim to provide insightful information as well as an exercise in empathy in compassion. As always I'm sure many of you out there disagree with me and I more than welcome your insights so please comment. And of course if you have additional information or experiences that agree please share with me as well. (o:
Let me begin with a video of a "30 Days" episode on immigration. This is a series that was on a few years ago by Morgan Spurlock (The "Supersize Me" guy) where people from opposing viewpoints live together for 30 days. It is also available on Netflix. The video is just under 50 minutes but is wonderful if you got the time.
Let me begin with a video of a "30 Days" episode on immigration. This is a series that was on a few years ago by Morgan Spurlock (The "Supersize Me" guy) where people from opposing viewpoints live together for 30 days. It is also available on Netflix. The video is just under 50 minutes but is wonderful if you got the time.
Empathy and compassion are a great place to start. So often we see undocumented folks in non human terms. They are illegal "aliens," criminals or lawbreakers...to name just three of the kinder references. But they are human beings just like you and just like me. But by whatever luck of the dice they were born in another country and we were born in the US. It is important to point out that we have undocumented people from all across the globe and that the majority come from south of the border. So let's say you were born in Mexico and wanted to come across to the United States would you not because there was some American law saying you can't? Maybe. Now let's imagine you were born in one of many cities terrorized by cartel violence where you literally feared daily for you and your loved ones' lives. Would you stay put to not break the rules? Even though you have heard from family and former neighbors how much safer it is in the US? Maybe. I sure as hell would not.
They are human beings, children of God, that are seeking a better life in America...just as most of our ancestors did.
I often hear the argument that undocumented people are a drain on our economy that they are taking good American jobs and resources at a time when we are in a deep recession. So let's follow that logic through. What if we did somehow deport the millions of men, women and children that are in this country. Would the economy rebound, would tax revenue jump forward? Stephen Colbert had an actual congressional hearing about this very question not too long ago.
I often hear the argument that undocumented people are a drain on our economy that they are taking good American jobs and resources at a time when we are in a deep recession. So let's follow that logic through. What if we did somehow deport the millions of men, women and children that are in this country. Would the economy rebound, would tax revenue jump forward? Stephen Colbert had an actual congressional hearing about this very question not too long ago.
Why are we pursuing the pipe dream of deporting all people or even bringing immigration to a complete stop? Does anybody really think that can happen? Do we really want to divide families or send back twenty year olds that know nothing about their land of birth? In the process of debating and discussing these ideas we are alienating people, human beings, our neighbors and making it incredibly difficult for them to participate in the American dream. It is true that many undocumented immigrants are working hard and using their own genius and ingenuity to find success and a piece of that good ol American pie but we are NOT making it easy for them.
What is the best investment, and number one key for success? Education, right? Are you aware how difficult it is to get a post secondary degree as an undocumented person. In less than 10 states can you actually pay in state tuition at public schools. Fortunately Utah, for the time being, is one of them. In all states you cannot receive any form of federal financial aide. No grants, no loans, and often you cannot even apply for scholarships. How many of us would have gone to college if we didn't have financial help, especially if we did not have parents/family that had been able to set an example as college grads themselves? How many of us would have even graduated from High School without that hope? Yet this is exactly what so many are running into.
When for the first time non white babies outnumbered white births do we really want to perpetuate this system? What will this do for our economic future when so many do not have a place at the table of hope, education and success? Just look at these high school graduation numbers. Almost 40% of our minority students are not graduating. Is this sustainable? Is this good for anyone? Who's fault is it? How can we fix it?
Obama's statement is a step in the right direction...but we need more. We need the Dream Act, we need a path to citizenship where these human beings can gain education...actually see a point to education and fully participate in this wonderful country of America. We need them to help us solve this crisis. As countless waves of immigrants have done before they can bring their culture, their wisdom, their labor, even their tax money to help us solve the problems that we face in the US culturally and economically. But we must do it together. Si se puede.
In closing I want to turn to the Bible. The parable of the Good Samaritan is a wonderful example for us on this topic. We all know the story...the Samaritan was no friend to the Jew but in this parable Jesus shows that they we're still neighbors, children of God, brothers and sisters. We must love our neighbors as ourselves, our family, our loved ones. Would we kick our children out of the country if they broke, a rule? If our beloved partner was undocumented from Latin America would we say "love you lots but I'll see you later after you find a legal way back?" Would we say "that's too bad no college for you son, best go find a manual labor job" if there were obstacles in the way or would we fight for opportunity? I hope that we can all follow Jesus' admonition and love our neighbors as ourselves regardless of our place of birth.
What is the best investment, and number one key for success? Education, right? Are you aware how difficult it is to get a post secondary degree as an undocumented person. In less than 10 states can you actually pay in state tuition at public schools. Fortunately Utah, for the time being, is one of them. In all states you cannot receive any form of federal financial aide. No grants, no loans, and often you cannot even apply for scholarships. How many of us would have gone to college if we didn't have financial help, especially if we did not have parents/family that had been able to set an example as college grads themselves? How many of us would have even graduated from High School without that hope? Yet this is exactly what so many are running into.
When for the first time non white babies outnumbered white births do we really want to perpetuate this system? What will this do for our economic future when so many do not have a place at the table of hope, education and success? Just look at these high school graduation numbers. Almost 40% of our minority students are not graduating. Is this sustainable? Is this good for anyone? Who's fault is it? How can we fix it?
Obama's statement is a step in the right direction...but we need more. We need the Dream Act, we need a path to citizenship where these human beings can gain education...actually see a point to education and fully participate in this wonderful country of America. We need them to help us solve this crisis. As countless waves of immigrants have done before they can bring their culture, their wisdom, their labor, even their tax money to help us solve the problems that we face in the US culturally and economically. But we must do it together. Si se puede.
In closing I want to turn to the Bible. The parable of the Good Samaritan is a wonderful example for us on this topic. We all know the story...the Samaritan was no friend to the Jew but in this parable Jesus shows that they we're still neighbors, children of God, brothers and sisters. We must love our neighbors as ourselves, our family, our loved ones. Would we kick our children out of the country if they broke, a rule? If our beloved partner was undocumented from Latin America would we say "love you lots but I'll see you later after you find a legal way back?" Would we say "that's too bad no college for you son, best go find a manual labor job" if there were obstacles in the way or would we fight for opportunity? I hope that we can all follow Jesus' admonition and love our neighbors as ourselves regardless of our place of birth.
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