Forgive the perhaps disjointed writing here. This is a complex issue (with roots that go much deeper than the level of discussion here), and one perhaps I'll explore more in future posts. For now, please bear with my jumbled thoughts.
As librarians, I'm sure most of us recognize that our libraries are nothing without the communities they serve. Our goals, our purpose, our reasons for being guides to the vast information resources (and other things) that our public requires and requests would be for naught without the individuals that make up our communities. And these communities come in all shapes and sizes, rural and urban, predominantly one ethnicity and greatly multicultural, rich and poor, haves and have-nots. Immigrants from a large number of countries are found in many of these communities, and many libraries don't make any bones about their immigration status; they are given the same access to resources as the rest of the community. So it is in this spirit of brotherhood (for lack of a better term) that I was happy to hear about President Obama's declaration on the hold of young illegal immigrant deportation.
The issue started to make me think about what an illegal immigrant is. If you really examine this "class" of person (as it seems they have become), there are not a whole lot of differences between them and naturalized citizens other than a piece of paper declaring them American. Both illegal immigrants and naturalized citizens come to this country hoping for a better future for themselves and their families. In some ways, I think that some illegal immigrants may want this ideal future (the American Dream) more than those that become naturalized citizens. Many illegal immigrants work jobs that "regular" citizens would never consider, even in a state of unemployment, but these people do it because they don't see another choice--and maybe even such work is better than they would have had in their native countries. (This puts me in mind of an article I read awhile back looking at agriculture in Alabama and the response farmers had to the ban on illegal immigrants passed in that state last year.)
I find it sad that only the government's declaration of "legal" or
"illegal" can create such a social gulf between "us" and "them" and
essentially put them in a social caste that is considered the lowest of
the low. It seems that "illegal immigrant" is synonymous with "having no basic human rights." These are people, even though many of us would dismiss them.
They deserve consideration at the very least, especially when our eyes
would glaze over and and our gaze purposely slide over them. How did
this group of people become so stigmatized? When did that seemingly
unanimous unspoken decision happen? I'm trying to put myself in their position and find I can't even come close to imagining what it would be like to be told "you're not wanted; you don't belong here" my whole life.
And before you stand up and say "No, agreeing with Obama's executive decree is wrong!" please remember that President Obama is providing young illegal immigrants--those who were brought here by their parents--this option his declaration describes, as long as they have conducted themselves as law-abiding citizens. Personally, I would rather have these people here contributing to our society in valuable ways than many of the naturally-born miscreants that participate in violent crime. How does it make sense to keep the latter (and spend public money on those that find their way into the penal system) and throw out the former? I would ask everyone to remember that our country was literally built on the backs of immigrants, illegal and legal alike--from the Africans forced to work the fields in the South, to the Chinese and Irish given back-breaking work building the railroads. Heck, even the Pilgrims immigrated here. We are a nation of many people with many backgrounds and cultures. We are virtually just as likely to see celebrations for Cinco de Mayo or Chinese New Year as we are Independence Day (and I don't hear people decrying their un-Americanness).
So, in closing, I guess my feelings about this issue can be summed up in two words: have compassion. Many of the "illegal immigrants" here are just trying to make the most out of this Land of Opportunity, as are we all.
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Author Note: This was first written last week in the initial wake of President Obama's declaration. I've added more of my personal reflections since.
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