Wonderful people
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Editor,
Two acres of landscaping was too much for my mom to handle, so she hired a gardener. A high schooler, I had never seen anyone work so hard; planting, weeding and raking. My mom took him iced tea mid-morning and homemade cookies at lunchtime. The sweat on his brow glistened as I practiced my Spanish with him. He arrived early and stayed late. His name was Lupe, a Mexican immigrant.
Another time; another place. Four of us hired an Uber to the Getty Museum. After exploring amazing historic treasures, my brother realized his phone was missing. Panicked, we called our Uber driver. “Yes!” he exclaimed, “when I heard a dog barking in the back seat, I knew it was your phone!” He drove all the way across L.A. to deliver the phone. His name was Nikolas, a Greek immigrant.
Later, I arranged my oldest brother’s memorial in Los Alamos, California, wine country. Checking caterers, I hired two young men with the most delightful phone presence and the cheapest prices. They arrived with a beautiful array of fresh, hearty appetizers, elegantly displayed. The two of them were warm and loving, wishing me well with hugs while tearing up with me as I described my loss. Their names were Pedro (“rock”) and Ramon (“wise protector”), Venezuelan immigrants.
Most immigrants make our diverse country stronger, wiser and more loving. Most are law-abiding asylum seekers; decent, hard-working people. Many are escaping poverty and gang violence. They arrive dreaming of a better life under the Statue of Liberty’s promise.
Of course we need to deport the criminals. Promise made. But “ICE arrests of migrants without criminal records are up 800%.” (NBC News). Promise broken. Masked agents are sweeping immigrants up from their legalization appointments, schools, churches, and off the streets. The cruelty of “othering,” denaturalization, and Alligator Alcatraz without due process is insane and inhumane. Stephen Miller and crew must have ICE running through their veins.
Please pay attention. If you care about wonderful people, speak up. Stand up. Resist.
Nancy Teggeman
Polson
