A Compassionate Approach to Immigration Policy

Few areas of government better illustrate the repeated failure of our major political parties to reach a compromise than our broken and flawed approach to immigration policy.  This ongoing failure stems from a mix of opposing ideologies, political strategy, and entrenched stubbornness.  The result is not only a missed opportunity to harness the economic strength immigrants bring to our nation but also a moral crisis—evident in the dehumanizing, inconsistent and arbitrary treatment of those brave migrants who crossed deserts, navigated raging waters and battled jungles with nothing but the clothes on their backs in search of a better tomorrow.  

While it would be naïve to ignore how racism and prejudice have worsened the current immigration crisis, it is equally unfair to assume that every American who supports enforcement of immigration laws does so from such motives. It is therefore incumbent upon us to appeal to our fellow citizens with compassion and reason—to make the case that immigration is not only a moral imperative, but also critical to the economic and social vitality of our nation.

The Economic Case for Immigration

• Immigrants help fill labor shortages, stabilizing prices and maintaining production levels—both crucial to controlling inflation and growing our economy.

• Immigrants enable the United States to stay globally competitive by attracting top talent in fields such as technology and science.

• Immigrants increase the demand for goods and services in the United States.

• Entrepreneurship and small business ownership is higher among immigrant populations, driving economic growth, fostering innovation and improving living standards within our communities.

• Contrary to some opinions, immigrants contribute billions annually in tax revenue through income tax, sales tax, property tax and payroll tax.

• In rural areas such as those in our Northern New York communities, immigrant populations help revitalize areas by reversing population decline, reducing labor shortages, supporting school enrollment and through entrepreneurship and local business ownership.

Enforcement with Compassion

While we continue the fight for a just, intelligent, and compassionate immigration policy, we must also acknowledge present realities. Our system is deeply flawed, but our government still has a duty to enforce the law. That said, recent enforcement practices have too often crossed moral and constitutional lines, violating the very liberties our democracy claims to protect.

Worse still, enforcement is sometimes executed in a manner that seems designed to humiliate and harm, rather than uphold justice. This should trouble us all. If we agree on nothing else, can we at least recognize the strength and courage it takes to pursue the American dream?  Rather than recognizing migrants' resilience, we have distorted what American "strength" truly means. Strength is not found in cruelty or exclusion. It is the mother who sends her children to school and walks to work each morning not knowing if she will make it home again to see them in the evening. It is the father who fled oppression, risking his life in the hope of a better future for his family. It is the millions who applied for legal status in good faith, believing in the promise of American fairness, only to be met with delay, denial or indifference.  Yes, laws must be enforced—but they must be enforced with compassion and fairness. When we are compelled to remove law-abiding, hard-working individuals, it should be done with sorrow, not celebration.

Upholding Rights and Due Process

Even as enforcement continues, we must commit to doing it both compassionately and legally:

• Due process must be respected, and all migrants must be treated fairly under the law.

• The government must never again use the threat of family separation to coerce compliance.

• No migrant should face deportation threats to third-party prisons.

• Migrants must not be intimidated into signing legal documents they cannot read or understand.

• No one should be deported before their right to a fair hearing is upheld.

• Local and state law enforcement should honor existing laws and prioritize community trust and safety over unjust immigration crackdowns.

A Path Forward: Policy That Reflects Our Values

We must do more than just seek the compassionate and legal enforcement of our current immigration laws; we must fight for a more just, moral and mutually beneficial immigration policy that can be achieved by:

·      Intelligent border security that prevents unauthorized entry, but also provides a mechanism for those who reach our borders seeking asylum to be given fair consideration

·      Expanding employment-based visas that reflect our Nation’s needs.

·      Protecting our commitments and obligations to Dreamers, TPS holders and long-term community members through a pathway to legalization.

·      Improved language and workforce integration services that work collaboratively with immigrants to assist them in becoming stable and contributing members of society

·      A commitment to ensure that immigration policies and pathways to legalization work to keep families together.

·      Working to ensure that all Americans see the shared prosperity in compassionate immigration policies to reduce the discrimination and intolerance many immigrants face.

Reclaiming Our National Identity

This debate is not only about how immigrants can contribute to our country—it is about who we are as a people. Will we uphold the values that made America the “shining city on a hill,” or abandon them in favor of fear and exclusion?

America owes its strength to its immigrant roots. Now, we must rise to the challenge and once again be a beacon of light to the world. As Emma Lazarus wrote in those inspirational lines welcoming immigrants to our land, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

Our nation must do better. Together we can.