Paul Wilczynski's Observations

Bill Sinkford on Immigration Reform

The Rev. William Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, issued the following statement on Immigration Reform:

People of many faiths have been moved by the current debate over the immigration and labor policies that present a profound dilemma for our nation. We are seeing that our willingness to ignore the injustices that maintain our economic system weakens the moral fabric of our society. We know that illegal immigration is driven by two factors: the prospect of economic opportunity for the newcomers, and the voracious need of American businesses for cheap labor.

Those of us lucky enough to be born into US citizenship can thank our ancestors, some of whom came here in bondage, but many of whom saw a shining City on a Hill and were inspired by its promise of freedom and opportunity. Today's immigrant workers are following that same beacon, and they come to this land filled with hope. That hope gradually dims, however, as they struggle to support loved ones back home while hiding in the shadows of US society. As years pass, family reunions are deferred and the American Dream is denied. In the meantime, our comfortable middle-class standard of living is secured at the price of these workers' hopes. As a result, America has, once again, created a permanent under-class of residents who are refused the dignity and civil protections that come with citizenship. To people of conscience, this situation is intolerable.

There are no easy answers, but the religious community is called to stand in solidarity with the oppressed. The dramatic sight of half a million immigrant families rallying in Los Angeles touched many of us with a heightened awareness of their plight. Our concern for family values needs to embrace these families as well. We are also called to acknowledge that racism has blinded most Americans to what takes place in our own kitchens, workshops, and fields. For our nation to be whole, we must acknowledge that our lives of privilege are supported in thousands of ways by people whose labor is invisible and whose suffering is hidden.

Each generation of Americans is called upon to define again who we mean when we say "We, the People." We must follow our conscience as we respond to this call. During this religious season, our thoughts and prayers are with our elected legislators as they struggle to revise our current immigration and labor policies. It is my deepest hope that their work will reflect the values of justice, equity and compassion for all.

I'd say this is a little more complex than it appears, because as Sinkford says, we're talking about people who have broken the law. I don't think we can ignore that - it needs to be put out in the open and addressed.

posted by Paul Wilczynski @ 5:33 PM