Immigration

I don't usually post about political issues (other than education)...that's really not the purpose of this blog. But immigration is a hot topic right now, and I do have strong views. On Facebook my stepdad posted a link to a Deseret News article about the (LDS) church's statement about immigration. Here is the church's statement:

"The complex issues surrounding immigration are a matter of increasing concern and debate for all in this country," said LDS Church spokesman Michael Purdy in response to the Deseret News' questions on immigration issues.


"Elected individuals have the primary responsibility to find solutions in the best interests of all whose lives will be impacted by their actions," Purdy continued.

"We repeat our appeal for careful reflection and civil discourse when addressing immigration issues. Finding a successful resolution will require the best thinking and good will of all across the political spectrum, the highest levels of statesmanship, and the strongest desire to do what is best for all of God's children."
And here is a link to the article.

I usually don't read the comments but since this is a topic close to my heart and that often brings me to tears, I did. Perhaps I shouldn't have because I found many of them very disappointing. Many people were applauding those who released "The List" (of illegal immigrants here in Utah) and were calling for anyone here illegally to be deported immediately. There was a lot of anger and contention. Many people used Article of Faith number 12 to support their opinion that illegals should be deported. (FYI: The Articles of Faith are 13 statements of the basic beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Article of Faith 12 states, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.") I do believe in this Article of Faith...I believe in them all. I guess my main argument against so many of those who were using this Article of Faith to promote deportation and other such arguments is to remind them that there are 13 Articles of Faith and that number 13 says, "We believe in being honest, true, chaste,benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." I have always been taught that the two great commandments are to, first, Love the Lord God with all thy heart and second, to love thy neighbor as thyself. My understanding is that really these two commandments are the most sacred, that charity is the greatest of all spiritual gifts. And I read far too little love, compassion or charity on the Deseret News comments. (Not to mention that at least two commenters referred to my city as the ghetto, which is offensive to me as I love where I live!)

So for what it's worth, here are my thoughts on immigration. They certainly aren't original...I saw most of these thoughts echoed on Deseret News and have seen them other places as well. And there are probably dear friends of mine who won't agree with me. But here's what I think.

First, I know many immigrants. (In fact this whole nation is founded on immigration and unless you are Native American/Indian, you are an immigrant too! Maybe it's been a few hundred years, but your family came here as immigrants! Keep that in mind.) My experience has been that most of them are good, honest, hard-working (but often uneducated)people.

Second, I take offense with The List and Arizona's immigration law for many reasons, but one reason is that it is racial profiling at its worst. They aren't targeting illegal immigrants of any background or nationality except hispanic. Now I know they are the most prevalent, but they are certainly not the only illegal immigrants. And I believe we are taking a huge step backward (like 40 or more years!) when we willingly, happily encourage racial profiling, bigotry and racism.

Third, my arguments against deporting illegals are several. First, it is ineffective. Unless and until we secure our borders, we are basically dumping money down the drain when we deport people. From what I have seen, most of them are back here in a matter of weeks. Second, we are tearing families apart. Because many illegal immigrants have children born here in the US, their children are citizens. SO the children are not deported, and are left here, separated from their families. How can anyone, especially a member of our church that focuses on the importance of families, justify separating husband and wife or parent and child? If you don't think this happens, you are wrong. It has happened to my students!! Third,I think many people think that deporting illegal immigrants will somehow help the economy. I fear that they are very, very wrong. Immigrants (legal and illegal) often take jobs that most Americans wouldn't take. In addition, they add to the economy in ways that probably most people aren't even aware of. How many locally owned Utah businesses would go out of business if all illegals are gone? How many of our fresh produce would no longer be picked, packed and shipped to our stores if illegals are gone? I think that we might find that we would hurt our economy rather than help it...

With the economy in a downturn, people are (understandably) concerned about their jobs, the economy and their finances. Some people believe that illegals are a drain because they take away jobs and they receive government benefits. I'm sure there is truth to that. At least some truth. But I also think for every person that isn't paying taxes and that just wants government handouts there are probably 20 or more that would willingly pay taxes and work two jobs just to provide for their families. Frankly, I'm less concerned about illegal immigrants being a drain than I am Americans who live on welfare and other government programs for generation after generation, but no one talks about that because it isn't politically correct and besides they are American so maybe they are entitled to it?! Sorry for the sarcasm, because that isn't very kind and loving. But I think the church's statement was right on. This is a difficult issue and there isn't, I don't think, one cut and dried right answer. It really will require, "careful reflection and civil discourse ...the best thinking and good will of all..., the highest levels of statesmanship, and the strongest desire to do what is best for all of God's children."

A few more thoughts:

I am frustrated because so many of us in middle class think we have what we have because we deserve it. We have worked hard for it. And I do feel like I work hard. But I'm telling you that most of us have not worked nearly as hard as most of the immigrants I've seen, nor have we suffered nearly as much. Most of us work 8, maybe 10, hour days and have weekends and vacations off. Not so in most of the world, and not so for many of our nation's poor, including immigrants. Are we more deserving, really? OR just more lucky/blessed? Most of what we have and who we are is dependent on when and where and to whom we are born! I'm not negating the fact that I worked hard to get a college degree or that I continue to work hard to support my family... just putting it in perspective. I was blessed to live in a family that valued education. I was able to afford an education. I was, and I am, blessed. I didn't deserve that more than sweet Raul, who I taught this year and who is brilliant but has almost no chance of getting a college education, and whose family just returned to Mexico, so he may not even finish high school.

Here is the truth about why most people come here: (yes, there are some that come here to break the law...there always are...) they want a better life. They want what most of us take for granted....running water, a quality education, a place to live, enough money to buy food. Many of them live here, provide for themselves and still send money back to Mexico to help family that lives there. I am a law abiding citizen, but I want what is best for my children, and I can almost guarantee that if I were born in many other countries, I would do whatever I could to get my children here so they could have a better life. Most of you would too.

So now, let's talk about the issue of legal versus illegal immigration. If they want to come here so badly, why don't they do it legally? Number one reason is money. Few people can afford the fees required to come here legally. If they can afford it, they're living pretty good in Mexico and probably don't need to come here. :) Number two reason is red tape. This is government bureacracy we are dealing with and it is nearly impossible to come here legally. It can/does take years. My husband is an immigrant...a legal one...and not from Mexico. (Almost certainly, had he been born in Mexico, he would not be able to behere legally, but from many Central/South American countries it is easier to come here.) He is currently trying to renew paperwork...and even though he is here legally and we have been married nearly 9 years and he's lived here half his life, the expense is high and it is time consuming. I won't go into more details but the wait time is long and the red tape is thick. It's a major pain. A friend of mine met and fell in love with an illegal immigrant. Basically, because of bad legal advice, they decided he should return to Mexico and try to come here legally. Long story short, he can't, and they can't reapply for 10 years. So my friend is now living in Mexico with her husband and daughter, away from the rest of her family, because it is so difficult to come here legally.

Why do we want so badly to keep others from enjoying the freedom and economic prosperity that we enjoy? Why don't we want others to benefit from the wonders of this great nation? I understand that we want to protect our freedom and security, but is it at the cost of doing what is best for others? When did we forget that immigrants are human beings, children of God? When did we forget that we are all more alike than we are different? And are we really going to let this political issue create contention (which comes from the devil...3 Nephi 11:29), anger, hatred, and divisiveness? Why can't we try to be civil and try to do what is best for everyone?

Let's remember what it says on the Statue of Liberty, the beautiful poem by Emma Lazarus (quoted here only in part):
"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!"

Okay, that was a doozy of a post. I'd love your feedback...even if you disagree...