What are we gonna do with the Immigrants?

Emma Lazarus' poem is etched on a tablet on the pedestal where the Statue of Liberty stands.

"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
  with conquering limbs astride from land to land;
 Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
a mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
 is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
'Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!' cries she
wih silent lips. 'Give me your tired, your poor
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of yor teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!'"

Elie Wiesel, no stranger to the Holocaust, has said that there are no such things as illegal immigrants. Such talk, he adds is the first step that finally leads to the gas chambers.” I think he is right. Alabama Gubernatorial candidate Tim James said in an advertisement: “Why do our politicians make us give driver’s license exams in 12 languages? This is Alabama. We speak English. If you want to live here, learn it.”

They come to us south of the border. Most of them come here seeking work, seeking a better life. They come for the same reason that all our forebears came years ago—looking for a better life for ourselves and our children.

When the Italians, the Irish, the Asians, the Jews and others first came through Ellis Island and filtered into the country they were not exactly received with open arms. Many apartments had signs that said: No foreigners—no Jews apply. The same message was in the windows of many business establishments.

The arguments that they are taking our jobs, they come with diseases, crime-ridden and they are putting a burden on our hospitals, our schools and our whole way of life is not a new message. This is an old story of suspicion, fear and racism dates back for several hundred years in this country.

Arizona is not the only culprits. We have to do something about our borders to the South. But we do not solve this problem by making people feel unwelcome and less than our own citizens.

Who are there people? I am sure Mr. James, running for Governor, must know first-hand. They probably cut his grass and tend his garden. When his roof had to be replaced nobody asked those with dark skins about their understanding of English. When he goes to a restaurant he never asks the concierge about the credentials of those that work in the kitchen or clean off his table after he is gone. When he added a new room on his house—dark skinned people hung his sheetrock and did a good job.

I am told that getting a Green Card often takes years. It is also costly—no wonder many do not apply. It reminds me of the poll tax we used to keep black and other poor folk from voting in many states in the South. We have to make citizenship easier for those that come here.

I have no identification card except a driver’s license and credit card. Why should we ask for other papers from people that seem unlike us? People should not be afraid to walk or drive down the streets. I asked a Hispanic friend of mine who has not been in this country very long, if he is ever treated poorly by some folk. He said about 25% of the time. Most folk, he said treat me good. He’s a hard worker and sends money faithfully back to his poor family in Mexico.

I remember those words of Emma Lazarus’ on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired…” They say nothing about being white, well-heeled and speaking impeccable English. Of course we do not want people here who would undermine our freedom. But we do not need to undermine our own freedom with barriers, attitudes and laws that pit people against people.

Jesus once said, “I was a stranger and you took me in…” I wonder if we lily white folk who worship mostly with our own kind ever ponder the meaning of these powerful words. I also wonder if they might just apply to us and our time.

(On Ellis Island I saw this replica of a plaque that once stood in Los Angeles. In 1924 a wave of hatred toward

Japanese immigrants spread through Hollywood and all of L.A. This placard was one of many signs that could be found at that time.)

The Southern Poverty Law Center keeps up with the trouble spots in the nation. You might want to read Heidi Beirich's take on the roots of the Arizona Anti-Immigrant Law. Scary.