Fear and Hostility Against Immigrants
Throughout our history, immigrant waves have been met by hostility and prejudice. The Irish, Italians, Germans, and Polish faced oppression... and now it's Mexicans and other Latinos from South America.
Western American history and culture derives itself from Native American and Spanish heritage going back to the early 1600's when Spanish peoples first came to this region. Over the past 70 years, through the migrant worker visa program, the U.S. has benefited enormously from the contribution that migrant workers have made to building our economy and middle class. We have also benefited from tremendous social and cultural contributions as well. Over time many have come to the U.S in search of a better life and stayed here to provide that quality of life for their children.
Since 1965 our immigration system and policies have been broken. This has reached a point where many constituents have become fearful, angry and frustrated at the lack of leadership from our government. The last comprehensive immigration bill was passed in 1996, and it actually created an impetus for more people to come and stay longer. It is clear that our immigration system is broken and requires comprehensive reform.
Unfortunately, the types of reforms being put forth by anti-immigrant foes are the wrong approach. Prior to 9/11 the president was actually proposing an amnesty program with Mexico for undocumented workers. The economy was strong and there did not seem to be to much resistance to this approach. Then 9/11 occurred and everything changed. We are now living in a culture of fear and that fear brings out the worst aspects of the human condition.
The Rev. John Perkins spoke last May at the Colorado prayer luncheon, and he talked about an environment where a society projects its fear, worry, hostility and prejudices onto a group of people which in effect demonizes the entire people group. That is what is happening right now and it is coming against Mexicans and other Hispanic people over the issue of immigration.
Prominent leaders such as Tom Tancredo and Dick Lamm who are pushing a nationalist anti-immigration agenda. They are people who are fearful and their rhetoric is instilling fear in others leading to a great deal of hardheartedness towards Hispanics. Even second and third generation
Latinos are getting caugth up in this dilemma. This is a McCarthy-like agenda to demonize and entire people group and play on the fears of our communities. The folks leading this effort are themselves, I sense, wounded people who may have never known what it is to be loved, to be blessed, to be known. They are driven by fear, anger, shame and rejection. They are compelled to project that woundedness on others and to find a cause that will validate their existence. Let us pray for these people.
Right now the U.S. Congress and the Colorado State Legislature are promoting several anti-immigration bills that are prejudicial and punitive to a hard-working decent group of people. These bills include provisions to build an 800 -mile "Berlin Wall" along the border and in effect militarize our border. They seek to make it an aggravated felony to be an undocumented worker, subject to detention and expedited deportation. (Currently it is a civil violation to be here without proper documents.) They will deny education and medical benefits to undocumented workers, and make local law enforcement act as INS agenst by enforcing federal immigration law (something they are against). They will make employers legally responsible for their workers and the validity of the documents, and subject to huge fines.
These proposed bills will create worker shortages, wage inflation and put many companies out of business. They will weaken the judicial process for quicker deportation, separate families, and make it a crime for employers and non-profit community-based organizations to assist the very people we serve.
It is very important for citizens to stand up and give voice to those who do not have a voice. The attack against immigrants from Mexico and elsewhere is staggering in its hostility and ignorance. It is as if these peoples have never made any social, cultural or economic impact on the U.S. at all, and; it fails to recognize there invaluable contributions to our society. To associate them with terrorism and national security is even more egregious.
There are many verses in the Holy Scriptures that speak to taking care of the poor, widow, orphan, and the alien/guest/visitor/stranger. In fact there are over 2000 references. I will leave you with two: 1. Love one another 2. Whatever you do for one of the least of these, you do for me.
Comments
While I totally agree with you, the strength of my argument didn't hold up much with my Tucson friends. They say that Tancredo is a hero even to many Mexicans living in Tucson. I am told that 3K illegal immigrants attemp to come across each night and that many are lawless gangs bringing drugs. My friend who lives a few miles from the border says that the place is very dangerous. My question is how can we allow immigrants to come, and, yet, keep out those who come to exploit and engage in crimminal activity? In general is everyone who daily lives with the problem wrong? My friends agree that many of the immigrants do jobs we are not capable or interested in doing. Should we toughen the borders but revamp our immigration laws for Mexicans? In order to bring about change, I think we need to address the fears of those living close to the borders. While the fears could be based on prejudice, there are some real problems that need to be addressed.
Posted by: mama rose | February 24, 2006 09:43 AM
I am an ELL teacher at a local high school. I have known of no immigrant who emigrated to do harm to the US; they come to make better lives for themselves & their families. Humans are resources, not drains on the economy. Unless we are prepared to face the backlash, allow undocumented immigrants the right to make a rightful place in society.
Posted by: Maria Nunez | April 11, 2006 01:02 PM