Immigration has been in the news quite a bit lately, from the plight of mothers and children held at detention centers, to the deportation or lack thereof of illegal immigrants who commit crimes, immigration is the hot topic du jour. Candidates for president are bringing this issue to the forefront and it really made me reflect on what I saw on our last trip (trip #16) when we visited Ellis Island-the now closed center that processed so many immigrants on their way to live their dreams of a better life in America.
So many bridges and tunnels and railroads could not have been built without the hard work of immigrants
I think first it's important to note that we are all of immigrant stock and we are a nation of immigrants from every part of the globe. It's also important to note that as a nation we can't deny that we need immigrants. Immigrants come to this country with a dream to provide a better life for their families and in so doing are willing to go to great lengths often doing jobs that most of us would never do. On our last trip, visiting the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn, we learned that the subway tunnels were dug by Italian immigrants-often risking life and limb so their children could have a better life. Much of our railroad tracks were laid by immigrants, and the Erie Canal was dug by immigrants. Today immigrants continue to do back breaking work picking our fruits and vegetables in the fields and work as meat cutters at large processing centers among other tiring and dangerous jobs. And the truth is, without them our country would not function.
Sadly today, when I pick up the newspaper, all too often I read about the horrific conditions of detention centers where those who cross illegally are held awaiting some sort of trial to assess their situation where they wait for months sometimes years. Even those who try to enter the country through the proper channels have a terrible time moving through all the red tape and endless waiting. It is a terribly inefficient system and all I could think about after my visit to Ellis Island is how is it that we have gone so far backward?
The main building at Ellis Island through whose doors so many passed.
At Ellis Island, immigrants were processed quickly. They had to produce legitimate papers showing that had family or someone who would sponsor them. They had to show they had some money and a job waiting for them and most importantly that they would not be a burden on society. They had a health check and if all went well they were soon on their way. Those who were sick, were treated until they were well enough to leave. So many people came through Ellis Island to go on to be proud and hard working Americans. I think that is what most immigrants hope for, a chance to work hard to provide a better life from where they came from. But something has changed from then until now. America still needs it's immigrants, but it no longer values them and that is a huge problem-and that is why we are where we are today.
It's time we stop moaning about these problems and insist on better policy-one that streamlines the immigration process. First we must address how many immigrants can be processed on an annual basis with obvious exceptions for dire asylum cases and limit it to that. The harder it is and the more complicated the process the more likely folks will sneak across the border and remain undocumented. The longer folks sit in detention centers, the more likely they are to commit criminal offenses. Let's remember that immigrants just like those who arrived and were processed at Ellis Island are coming seeking a better life, not one that entails collecting welfare checks but one that allows them to work hard for honest pay, contribute to the economy and give their children a better life. We need them just as much today as we did back then and the sooner as a nation we realize that the better off we'll be.
Let's not forget what she stands for-just as relevant today.
We need to be in control not out of control as it is now. Brian
That all sounds kind and sympathetic, but it is also very shaded and one sided. In the past when the immigrants came through Ellis they were required to have papers,were as mentioned to have either a sponsor,established family members or a job to support themselves, and be able to contribute back to this great country that was offering a better life. They were also required to learn our history and our language. And in doing so become proud Americans! And obviously this was not an impossible act since he was accomplished for many many years. But that is not the situation today! By no means is this next statement meant to include everyone trying to immigrate today but it absolutely is correct about way more than just a few. We have the ones that arrived here illegally many many years ago with no intentions of ever going through the proper channels, and still don’t. So that was a criminal action. Then after changes came along concerning parents delivering babies were permitted to stay but then they began receiving government assistance which is free medical to have baby after baby.Along with foodstamps public and subsidize housing. And all this time still not bothering to correct the citizenship issue. Because they had no interest in contributing to this country only in sneeking other friends and family members here. These people are of no asset, they pay nothing in taxes or to social security. Yet they receive benifits and entitlements that they have not paid into. Then there are those that come here to escape the terror and inhumanity of their native country. But when they arrive they insult this country,it’s people,customs laws and religion! They no longer are required to learn our languages instead we are being required to learn theirs. We are being made to do away with numerous traditions and alter holidays because it offends them. Restaurants are being forced to stop selling items. And grocery stores made to start stocking items they don’t have a substantial market for. Their religion and customes are being forced taught as required classes to our children in school. And the whole time we are being threatened with being taken over and our Christian faith being abolished. So the next time you see or hear someone criticizing hour the immigrants are being treated, think about all the native Americans,and veterans( who fought were wounded or killed) that don’t receive the entiled benefits that are routinely give out to these poor mistreated immigrants who never paid their share. They also never fought,got wounded or killed so you good live free and voice your assine opions. One last thought remember when the pilgrims arrived here and forced their religion on the American Indians (seem a little familuar) look where they ended up.