Immigration and Independence Day
Henrey Olsen has a very good paean to immigration and America in honor of the 4th of July over at The American:
An American immigrant longs for freedom and is drawn to our land to satisfy that longing. The freedom he seeks differs: one wants freedom of worship, another like the Cuban, Hungarian, or Vietnamese fleeing Communism wants freedom of conscience; still another wants the freedom to make a better material life than they could in their native land. These new Americans can’t feel the same glory in the act of revolution that thrilled their Anglo neighbors whose ancestors won the War of Independence. But they can celebrate the virtue which inspired that act and which was politically enshrined by that act’s success—the virtue of freedom.
The American immigrant wants more, though, than to simply be left alone to pursue his private pursuits. He wants to be a citizen, to belong to this new country as fully and completely as he did to his old land. Indeed, for one fleeing lands whose ruling class deprived him of basic economic and social rights, belonging to America is a more complete attachment than he could ever have attained before. For in America, the immigrant is respected as an equal, an end unto himself, rather than as a means to some other’s end.
[…]
This process seems so natural that it’s worth recalling just how exceptional it is. European nations, based as they are on a community of blood rather than one of ideas, find it difficult to make immigrants full citizens. It’s impossible to think of a German of Turkish descent or a Swede from Bosnia or Kurdistan becoming prime minister. Even France, a nation that proclaims its fidelity to the international ideals of liberté, égalité, fraternité, finds it difficult to make immigrants full citizens. When Nicolas Sarkozy ran for president of France, the fact that he is descended from Hungarian immigrants was an issue; was he truly French?
The recent gubernatorial nomination of Nikki Haley, daughter of Indian Sikhs, in South Carolina shows that this American phenomenon of arrival, aspiration, and achievement continues apace. As we celebrate our nation and our republic this weekend, let us also celebrate the political miracle that our revolution has wrought. And let us celebrate the foundation of American citizenship that makes that miracle possible, the principle of individual freedom that flows from the Declaration’s assertion “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,” and that “to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Now we just need to open up our immigration to many, many more legal workers so that we can create an even greater, more prosperous nation for our future.
Happy 4th of July.
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Happy Birthday America – We salute you. Thanks for what you have been not only to your own, but to the entire world that looks upon you. You have opened hands and doors to many, have given many opportunities and have emerged better and victorious than they came.
In this great day, I would you to know that not all are a threat to this land. Many were here on Sept. 11th, 2001 when the terrorists hijacked planes and destroyed the twin towers, flight #93 and I remember the many that lost their lives. Indeed we saw people of ill will directing flight to Pentagon and killed many. We cried as American cried, mourned as many did and to this day that pain is still there. We joined many to different churches as we wondered what such enemies hold against a nation that has made difference to the lives of many and whose great impact is felt throughout the world.
One point I would like to make clear is the fact that the terrorist did not choose who was legal and who was illegal. The attack was directed to those who defined America as the Melting Pot. They did not choose who was in the twin towers and were not interested what status they had. The danger was for all. Indeed they killed citizens and non citizens and in as much as some were foreigners who did the act, not all wish ill for America.
It is true that America has right and responsibility to defend itself and its citizens. But in as much as you close the borders and tighten security in airports and other ports of entry, remember the people who have stood with you in the times of pain and joy. The illegals in America are not all criminals. They have built the economy of this land. Children have assimilated and integrated. They daily affirm the pledge of allegiance never knowing they do not hold legal status in this land. They play with their friends at the parks, worship together in the churches and sit under the same teachers in schools. Some of the children are citizens while their parents are illegal and so are their brothers and sisters.
It turns out the Immigration issue has turned to be political game for politicians and some constituents. They campaign day and night to throw them out of the country but this is my word for them “He who ignore the cry of the poor will one day cry and not be heard”. How is it like for a parent to loose job because he is illegal and fails to fend for their children many of whom are legal citizens by birth and they truly suffer for the sins of their parent? The very parents you want to throw out will soon be back since the children will soon file for them. You disrupt the children education, cause panic to them and dismiss them as people who do not qualify to come back to the very country they have always pledged allegiance to. If only you would listen to these children.
Close your eyes for a minute and imagine your son and daughter going to look for better life elsewhere; they get established, have children, buy houses, cars, work and save to including 401K, 403B, pay social security but soon or later they become illegal not because they want but circumstance forces them. They loose status because they are established hoping that one day they would be legalized to be partakers of the blessings that God the Almighty has bestowed to this country. Later, they become victims to politicians as they advance their political interests. Your son or daughter soon calls you to let you know that they stand victims of deportation. The hope and dream you had for your child vanishes as you ponder their fate. Take sometime and as you decide their fate, decide as if you are passing judgment on your own children lest the passage on Mordecai and Haman in the book of Esther get repeated on your own lives. By denying them driving licenses, you are just giving them pass to drive without. Reconsider your case for the non immigrants and share the little you have. They have gone through too much to deserve this treatment and should this administration fail to act, God will send help from another source. Republicans and Democrats need to step up to the plate and cease to make this a political game. When someone has been here for 10 years and over, where else can they be sent to? Their children only know his life. Some are even legal and they have graduated from American institutions, why not give them chance to work here? Why not legalize them like Canada do? They apply for diversity visa program each year and many times are not lucky to be selected. We have done all we could including applying for permanent residency through jobs but are denied. What else can be done? I appeal to the congress to review our case. To those who feel that immigrants are a threat by taking employment, it is important to remember that they come here, go to school and qualify to compete for the same jobs the American Citizens do. Do you disqualify someone because they qualify?
How do you deal with those who have maintained status? Do you punish them for keeping status?
How do you deal with those who have been working illegally and paying taxes?
Families are struggling and are sharing the little they have. America needs to emulate the family values and share the little they have till the economy get out of the brink. As we pray and sing God bless America, lets all believe that America will stand and remain the country it has always been lest history will judge us. Like Ted Kennedy, the dream lives on.
Pastor Moses Mbugua
Christ Celebration Center
Delaware – USA
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