In The News
THE MONITOR: EDITORIAL: Teaching immigration tolerance
U.S.,
March 27, 2016
EDITORIAL: Teaching immigration tolerance·Posted: Sunday, March 27, 2016 7:32 am THE MONITOR EDITORIAL BOARD As hundreds of millions of Christians throughout the world celebrate Easter today and reflect upon Jesus’ teachings, which include sacrifice, discipline, tolerance, acceptance and forgiveness, we point out how these tenets can be applied to today’s heated immigration debate — particularly tolerance. His life on earth showed how suffering can lead to greater rewards. How acceptance of others leads to redemption, and how tolerance can temper evil. We challenge our political leaders to follow these examples and to reflect today, and in the future, on how our country can be more inclusive and tolerant of those seeking life here in the United States, while still abiding by the necessary structures set forth by law. As many of our ancestors came from other countries, our society today must find a way to tolerate others seeking entry here, and to do so equally — the very message Pope Francis conveyed when he washed the feet of refugees last week. We also must find a way to incorporate and benefit from their skills and drive, and to reap economic rewards from them, via taxes and contributions to U.S. technology and scientific fields, just as they seek to reap rewards from living in our great country. This will only happen if they come out of the shadows and are properly accounted for and become paying contributors of society. And that will only happen if our lawmakers have the discipline and sacrifice to enact meaningful — and tolerant — immigration reform. Likewise, our citizens must be willing participants in this societal transformation and recognize right from wrong. We must dismiss and not adhere to angry rhetoric or hateful gossip about those coming from elsewhere or believing differently than us. We must thoughtfully consider the ramifications of how putting up a wall to seal off our border could keep out talent and those who could prove to benefit our society, if only given a chance. Finally, we must equally give all a chance to prove their skills and worth and abilities here. We should not play favorites to certain groups while stigmatizing or castigating others. An example of this are unfair privileges afforded Cuban immigrants who cross into our country via the “wet-foot, dry-foot” policy, which allows them passage and benefits, like food stamps and housing and an immediate pathway to citizenship. Yet those coming from Mexico and Latin America are deported or detained in unwelcoming detention centers and facilities and, if lucky, given limited time here. And we praise those who question and put pressure on our leaders in Washington, D.C. to change unfair policies. This includes U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, who has repeatedly shown tenacity in working with leaders from both parties to formulate immigration strategy, and to correct wrongs. Last week, Cuellar and fellow Texan, U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi, filed legislation that could right this wrong. Their Correcting Unfair Benefits for Aliens (CUBA) Act would repeal the Cuban Adjustment Act and restrict benefits, thereby allowing that “Cuban nationals should be treated under the same immigration rules as nationals of other countries with which the United States has diplomatic relations and should not receive preferential treatment,” the bill reads. “With President Obama restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba, the immigration preferential treatment given to Cubans who enter the United States no longer makes sense,” Farenthold said. This will “level the playing field for all those seeking to enter this country,” Cuellar said. “The need remains for comprehensive immigration reform, but in the meantime, we shouldn’t be handing out special status and benefits for a select group.” We agree. And we put our faith and trust in our country’s leaders to safeguard our ethics and to move our nation forward with this complex issue, recognizing the sacrifice and discipline this will require of us all. And in doing so, we look to those who went before us who demonstrated such characteristics and showed the world divine greatness.
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