We Are All Immigrants

Wisconsin's Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner,Jr. released a hail of buckshot with his bill to criminalize illegal immigrants in our country and has energized those who came to our country to seek a better life. Congressman Sensenbrenner seems to have forgotten why his ancestors came to our country. He believes that anyone here illegally must be imprisoned as a felon, and everyone who provides any assistance must be considered a felon as well. 

 

An orderly and legalized immigration policy is necessary, but should our country treat those who are hear illegally as felons? I think not. Immigration from Mexico and Central America is mainly legal. However, people who illegally cross our boarders and remain in the USA for work are desperate. Why would they leave their home and families for measly wages paid to them here if they were not? Do not Congressman Sensenbrenner and his supporters understand this basic truth?

 

Here in Door County we are fortunate to have immigrants who help harvest and process the cherries that have distinguished this part of Wisconsin. We are lucky to have any workers who are willing to do what most of us are unwilling or unable to do. We should welcome our neighbors from Mexico and Central America just as we do the Eastern Europeans who get temporary work permits to provide the necessary tourist trade services every summer. Young people from Russia, Poland, Belarus, and other locations do tasks that the local businesses require. The cherry pickers are included, however they are not from Europe.

 

Congressman Sensenbrenner and many others in Congress seem to have forgotten their own roots. We are all descendants of immigrants, legal or illegal. Every last one of us owes our present US citizenship to relatives who came here as immigrants. I suspect that each of us now living in Door County can identify at least one known immigrant relative, and I bet that if you examine your genealogy you will discover that you may be a descendant of "illegal" immigrants.

 

Congressman Sensemsbrenner from a Milwaukee suburban area seems to have a very short memory. Rather than attack  and criminalize the immigrants who want to make a better life for themselves and their families, why doesn't he use his lawmaking abilities to help those in need? Why doesn't he encourage legal immigration to fill jobs that are not wanted by unwilling or unable residents who are citizens of our country?

 

Those of you who own businesses in Door County and depend upon the work of immigrants should let the advocates of criminalizing illegal immigrants hear from you. We should all march with the millions who are marching for all of us. March for our ancestors who made our country a land of immigrants. March for those who have fought and died in our wars who were illegal immigrants. We must all march for the freedom of all Americans. We are all immigrants.