God did not create borders

Editor:

I have seen first hand the dehumanization, humiliation, fear and also hope in the eyes of the immigrants. My husband is an immigrant from Mexico who has worked so hard, has experienced all of the above and who never lost his faith in God. He is a wonderful, hard working man, husband, father and son. One of the happiest days of our lives was when he became a citizen. Hearing our young son say to me, “Now they can’t take Daddy away, right?”

God did not create borders, man did. I am sure that when we reach heaven, we will find there are no borders there and that “illegal” immigrants were some of God’s most faithful people.

Most of these immigrants would much rather stay in their own countries, with their own cultures and traditions and where many still have parents, spouses and children relying upon their meager wages earned here. Unfortunately, many of the immigrants’ own countries do not have the needs for them to support their families. These immigrants who are here for work purposes would much rather be here on a legal basis.

Would you like to live every day in fear of being ripped from your family and deported? If there was a system in place that would allow legal entry and a path to even citizenship, much like those who came into Ellis Island were given, I am sure that most immigrants would choose this way as opposed to the dangerous, deadly, costly methods they now use. When is the last time you had to cross a river in the dark of night, cross a desert, experience extreme discrimination and humiliation to put food on your table? These immigrants do not live in luxurious homes, nor do they eat in fancy restaurants. They are, however, the ones working 12 hour days, seven days a week to provide these services for all of us to enjoy.

There are always exceptions to any group of people, but most immigrant children learn early on the importance of faith, hard work and family. They see this displayed every day by their parents. They do not understand the hatred and dehumanization their parents endure and they should not have to.

How different my life would have been if I had not “welcomed the stranger.” I am blessed with an amazing husband, beautiful children and a dream that together we can find a way to open our hearts, our minds and our voices to speak for those who feel they have no voice.

Susan Perez

Audubon