Empathy before barbed wire

Empathy before barbed wire

America existing as a melt ing pot of cultures is not a recent idea. It is a notion tied to our nation’s earliest days, our heritage. Immigrants, coming from as far as China or Lithuania, or perhaps as close as Canada or Mexico, are responsible for the vibrant country we live in. It comes as something of a surprise, then, to hear the fever-pitch shrieks of panic concerning the matter of our borders in the U.S.

One could easily dismiss the angry people who call for the repeal or modification of the 14th Amendment as xenophobic rubes, or perhaps foaming guard-dogs with a misplaced sense of territory. But such labeling leaves little room for an honest discussion of how the debate should be conducted — preferably in way that doesn’t lose focus on the issue.

Anxiety about “illegal immigration” has attracted more interest than the actual matter of how a functional system of admitting people into this country should work. Statements like “they take our jobs” or “we’re being invaded” do little beyond breed hysteria. Are immigrants stealing that seasonal fruit-picking job little Johnny always dreamed of having when he grew up? Or is that cushy gig in the meat-packing warehouse beyond my reach because of an influx of dastardly newcomers? These are occupations that no one, if given the option of another job, would choose to take.

The job issue aside, some would simply retort, “People that come here illegally are here illegally. End of story.” But that begs the question, how does one comes here legally and stay here legally? I’d ask anyone seriously interested in the process to find a way that takes less than five years to become a citizen. It’s a process that is labyrinthine, cryptic, and ultimately not happening in a timely manner.

It’s understandable that someone in a war-torn or cartel-controlled country with no jobs or safety might try to seek a faster route out of danger, poverty, and death when they look to America. Even in the midst of a recession, this is still a land of opportunity. We should find that flattering, not infuriating.

How do we fix this? Maybe the stalled DREAM legislation already in Congress has part of the answer. Or maybe something entirely new has to be crafted that makes the process of admission more comprehensive.

Whatever happens, the solution will work a lot better if it involves more than barbed wire and drone patrols.

Robert Heltzel, Niles