Week In Review September 8, 2017
Each one of us has a story to tell about a parent, grandparent or great grandparent that landed on the shores of this country in hopes of building a better life. Many sought refuge from political and religious persecution. They worked hard, struggled and persevered, always striving for the American dream. In the process, our immigrant relatives helped to build our country.They went to school, got better jobs, purchased homes, and started businesses. They were not very different from today's DREAMERs.
When President Donald Trump rescinded DACA this week, he wiped away the hopes of nearly 1 million immigrants whose lives now hang in the balance. He caused all of us to pause and remember our own immigrant experience.
While immigration reform is not one of JAC's core issues, it is at the core of all of us. We have a moral responsibility to look in our hearts and do what is right as Jews and as Americans. We are all immigrants. If Trump can take on the DREAMERs, then what is he capable of doing with other religious and minority groups?*
Immigration reform has no easy answers. But these DREAMERs deserve the opportunity to continue to contribute to our society. They have gone through extensive background checks. They are hungry to succeed and their perseverance embodies the American spirit. Chasing them back to their countries of birth while putting them in the path of danger, is heartless, cruel and unjustified. Where would we be today if our families had been chased away?
"Let us not fail to remember that minority persecution is the first sign of social disintegration," Hubert Humphrey said in 1945. Sadly It appears not much has changed since then.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Call Congress. Tell your Representative and Senators to pass the Dream Act of 2017. Phone calls make a difference. Use Facebook and Twitter. Share JAC's information.
Support JAC and its candidates such as Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) who are fighting to protect the DREAMERs.
source: Forward
