Since Title 42 is about to expire and many Americans are worried about the influx of immigrants, I thought I’d put in my two cents and offer a different viewpoint.
First, let’s all remember that these are people. Human beings. Families. Children coming to the border with their parents. Let’s NOT lose the humanity in any decision.
They happen to be people born somewhere in Central America or South America.
Almost all of the people migrating to the US southern border are coming to have a better life. Some are escaping threats from drug lords, some are leaving lands where there is political persecution, some are looking for better paying jobs, some want an education, and some want safety for their children. They still hear about the “American Dream”” and they want a small piece of it. They are willing to risk a lot to travel thousands of miles, with little on their backs, and with constant fear of attack along the way.
Yes, the numbers sound big – we hear on the news how many slip through and enter illegally. Thousands of others are waiting on the Mexico side of the border waiting for Title 42 to end in hopes they can make it in easier..
I can’t help but think about other countries, other places around the world, where people are also fleeing from war, and from lands that have political strife. Neighboring countries are not treating them less than human. Neighboring countries are helping them find a place to stay, some food, and they are not taking away their dignity. Because, you know what? It’s not their fault that they were caught living in a spot of turmoil. All around the globe people are effected by things they have no control over.
Soon we will see on the news video of people at our southern border – and it will look like they are ‘bad people’ and that they are ‘breaking our laws’ – but I hope you can look at them as individuals, family members, wanting a safe, and better life. If they could enter legally they would. But our system right now is slow, and we are not prepared to vet properly and do all the paper work needed. We need to take on some of the blame. Why do we not hire more in the Immigration Department to speed up the path in? Why can’t we employ Americans to help process those wanting asylum here? Help them get to relatives in the states? Give them a chance to work, often in jobs not desired by others.
As a Christian, I have felt all along that it is against the teachings of Jesus to build walls, and to push people away when they are in need. I’m not naive enough to realize this is a complicated issue, and that there are some mixed in the masses that are not of good character. That too is humanity. But certain media outlets emphasis the bad and don’t balance out the report and tell of those who want to be here the right way.
The United States can and should vet those who want to enter our country, and we can work harder, hire more and create more jobs in immigration, and in the meantime we can realize that we ALL are the same. It’s a mindset – and a positive mindset creates positive action. We ALL have the same desires – for love, safety, and to live in peace.
So, look at those faces you see on the news. They are tired from traveling, often walking for days, and they are tired from living in fear for so long. Think about how we can help them, and not stop them from an opportunity here in the United States. Be kind. Be that person that gives a hand out to help. Be that person that sees humanity. Be that person who realizes chance and circumstance have given us our life here in the US. We are children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren of immigrants too. How blessed we are.
Those who come to the border want to be like us.
Marla’s Musings 