There is a lot of debate in Utah right now related to a list of purported illegal immigrants that has been released publicly. The list includes names, birthdays, social security numbers, addresses, due dates of pregnant women, etc. I find this upsetting on so many levels. Even more upsetting are the comments made on the message boards. I love the state of Utah, but I'm so embarrassed to read some of these comments, especially those made in the name of religion. The only thing I can compare it to is Nazi Germany where neighbors spied on each other and informed the government.
I agree there is a serious problem with illegal immigration. I think it begins with a serious flaw in our immigration process. Those who want to immigrate legally are faced with unbelievable and in many cases unreasonable hurdles. I have friends from other countries who have married Americans and had to wait years just to get residency. I have other friends in the country illegally. Most are hard working individuals who contribute to our society, but can't afford the immigration process, which is extremely expensive. Some abuse the system. And I agree that illegal immigrants shouldn't be able to suck the lifeblood from programs like Medicaid. I also think that immigrants should learn English. However, I don't think that putting their safety at risk by publishing their private information is an ethical solution to the problem.
I'm especially upset that the only names on the list are of Hispanic origin. We have illegal immigrants from Europe, Africa, Asia, etc., so why are only Latinos being targeted? Because it's a racist and bigoted list.
I guess we better scratch out the quote found on the statue of liberty:
"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!"
3 comments:
I agree with you on all of your points. It's such a tired, difficult issue.
My daughter asked us while we were driving about how people could be here illegally. We explained it. She then wanted to know why they would do that. After telling her it was usually to escape less then desirable living conditions she said,"If that was my family, I would want to bring us to the U.S. too." We couldn't argue with that. In fact, we agreed with her.
Has everyone forgotten that we were ALL "immigrants" at some point or another in the history of our families??
I agree with you totally! There is definitely a huge issue, but this is just so wrong. The fact that someone made a list made me ill. My first thoughts compared it to Nazi Germany or Communist Russia.
On a lighter note...reading your last post, I have the same shopping problem. I used to wear Brennan in a stretchy wrap, but he's too big for it now. I just bought a Babyhawk Mei Tai carrier that I found used. I haven't used it shopping yet, but I think it'll definitely help.
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