Like most Americans, I support a reasonable, sustainable, effective,
compassionate immigration policy, one that we have been lacking for far
too long. However, like many other Americans but unfortunately not most, I
am shocked and appalled at how the use of mass deportations qualifies
as ANY sort of immigration policy. And I’m not even talking just about those
sent to the hellish, draconian prisons that are more like death camps. I’m
writing of the thousands of families, the great majority of them hardworking
people who provide essential services to our Country.
They want nothing more than to live in peace but have been sent cruelly packing. Even sick children under treatment have been given the boot. It’s unconscionable.
It seems that salacious and false accusations about these communities
have been allowed to flourish under the current Trump Administration
creating an atmosphere of fear and loathing for these people, thereby
justifying their cruel actions.
Here’s is just one example: Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Securities, appears in several commercials, properly attired in combat gear, hair beautiful quaffed, bright blue eyes shining, praising the leadership of her boss, President Trump, adding how
many violent criminals were rounded up and deported under his watch,
making us all that much safer. Sounds impressive, right? We all want that,
right?
Here are some facts that show that to be nothing more than fear-
mongering hyperbole:
When looking specifically at the relationship between undocumented
immigrants and crime, researchers come to similar conclusions. Numerous
studies show that undocumented immigration does not increase violent
crime; research examining crime rates in so-called sanctuary cities
also found no discernable difference when compared to similarly situated
cities without sanctuary policies. One study that focused on drug crimes
and driving under the influence found that unauthorized immigration status
was associated with reductions in arrests for those offenses.*
Those are the REAL numbers but let me contribute further with some
personal anecdotes to add even more context. My partner Amanda and I
live in a very modest house at the corners of Jackson Avenue and North
Mill Street in Nyack, NY. I call it the Crossroads of The World. Well, at
least it is to me, both literally and figuratively. Jackson Avenue had once
been the center of a thriving Black neighborhood filled with other modest
homes and successful businesses. But in the 1960’s, in response to the
creation of nearby Nanuet Mall, the downtown businesses felt they needed
a large parking lot to be able to compete with the new mall. So, here comes
Urban Renewal and the village council decided to create the lot by
bulldozing the most vulnerable neighborhood – the black one, of course.
Well, they may have gotten most of it, but not all. What’s left is still a
vibrant, active, tight block where WE are now in the minority. And love it.
The whole neighborhood is filled with the sound of (mostly brown) children
and the smell of delicious ethnic food in the air. The music is mostly Tejano
and so much fun to listen to. There is a large family behind us who
regularly put up a big, blue tarp, cook, sing, and laugh well into the evening.
But, by 10-1030pm the tarp is down, and the place is quiet. It’s very
respectful. Just the other day, one of the families across the street had a
Quinceanera celebration. I stopped and watched with total enjoyment as
they turned their backyard parking lot into a dance floor! All the young men
were wearing black suits topped by black Stetsons.
All the girls were dressed in colorful, frilly dresses. I broke into the biggest smile as they preceded to execute their perfect dance moves. It was wonderful!
Then, the other day, I watched a smallish, Latina woman push a shopping
cart FULL of I assume the week’s laundry up the steep hill that is Jackson
Ave. I offered to help. She smiled and said, “no, gracias.” It was her regular
routine. We’ve never had an issue with stolen items, violence, noise or any
other crime or nuisance so often blamed on immigrant communities.
And THESE are the people we are supposed to fear and loath? I’ll never
get it because I see people who are clean, family oriented, hardworking,
and have a lust for life! These are ALL the things I WANT in my life – I need
in my life. They don’t detract from our lives – they ADD to them. It’s as
simple as treating ALL human beings with the respect they deserve. Who
gives a crap where they come from? I am not afraid! Let them be who they
are and give some of it back to us. If we do, the world is a much better
place.
And it shouldn’t be that hard. It ain’t – to me.
*https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/debunking-myth-
migrant-crime-wave
Editor’s note: The views expressed in this article are those of this independent writer and not the Nyack News & Views editorial staff. We welcome submissions from anybody who is interested in publishing their thoughts, ideas and perspectives about issues facing our community, both large and small. Please send to info@nyacknewsandviews.com with detailed contact information.
Photo credit: Frank LoBuono
