What is the Difference, Immigration?

Written by: Ray Guillory on Aug 27, 2007 1:30 PM EDT

Immigration

Back in the 80's , when I was in middle school, my class watched a movie about East Germans who suffered under the oppression of a political and economicaly harsh authoritarian regime. In the movie the Hero, a loving father, decides that his family must fllee to West Gemany , for freedom and a chance for a better life. I don't remember all the specifics of thier escape. some of the family didn't make it, the father died. Those who did were greeted on th eother side as couragous heros, and watching the movie, I couldn't help believing that they where heroic. To risk everything you have, including life itself, for a chance at being free, to live a better life . No one then accused them of being criminals, though surely they broke East German law. No one condemned them, or the actions, in West Germany, they where praised and welcomed.

American Politicians of all colors, condoned this, and other such events. If these people, in search of better lifes, hoping fro freedom, people who would risk all despite the prevailing law of thier homeland ,where to be commended, then why do we now condemn so many as criminal for the same actions. If I lived in conditions similar to what most people live with in South America, and Mexico,I would leave for a better life, for myself, and my family. If the U.S, became like East Germany I would hop the wall to Canada .Am I a criminal, no. How can you criminalize the desire to make your life better, how do you criminalize the burning desire of humanity to be free.

Sure we must protect our borders in the face of the war being waged against us by our enemies. Yes we must limit the growth of our nation in relation to the resources we have, but we must also realize that as we take on the role of police, and watchdog of the world, we must also shoulder the responsibilty to help enrich and free the lives of countless people around the world that are denied what we deem basic rights. Until nations like those in South America, where immigrants flock from poverty, raise themselves up, or nations, where immigrants run from oppression, open themselves up, we will have millons running over our borders

If the man down the street beats his wife and she runs to your door, do you just cut her off, say to yourself, It is not my problem, Shut you doors and draw your blinds. Your wrong, it is, it is your neighboorhood. What if nothing is done today, and tommorow he shoots her down in the street, in front of your children, is it then your problem. We need to start looking at the world as we look at our own community.. It is smaller than ever and shrinking everyday, The violence, oppression , and poverty we used to be able to ignore, will soon be knocking at our door.

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Location: Pensacola, fl 32504