Immigration

Ours is a nation of immigrants.  One of the great symbols of our country, the Statue of Liberty, includes the Emma Lazarus poem which reads,

“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!”

Our nation has welcomed immigrants because we recognize both the growth and promise they bring and the moral duty we have towards our fellow human beings.

These ideals were recognized in 2014 when then President Obama brought forth the DACA program to give legal status to immigrants brought here as children. These are Americans in every sense except on paper. They live in our communities, pray in our churches, work and pay taxes. Giving them the opportunity to attain legal status is only fair.

Unfortunately, President Trump has sought to end the DACA program without an alternative in place, putting the status of 700,000 people in limbo.  DACA or an equivalent should be made a permanent program.

In regards to a border wall, I stand in opposition for several reasons. The first is that it simply will not make a significant difference in illegal migration. Experts have said our border security money would be better spent on personnel and technology such as sensors and drones to secure the southern border.  As it stands, the border between the United States and Mexico is already among the most militarized in the world between peaceful nations. The proposed wall is nothing more than a symbol. A symbol of hate and fear. It does not measure up to the ideals of our country. We should strive for more.

For more information concerning work and views related to Immigration, please contact our office.