I believe one of the greatest attributes of our democracy has been our ability to allow people facing all kinds of problems in their home country to pack their bags and come to the United States of America seeking amnesty.
It’s terribly disappointing to see that aspect of our previous democracy disappear, but I’m optimistic enough to think this will change ASAP.
Here in Southern California, I have been privileged to help people who need to apply for amnesty.
My first opportunity happened when a Mexican friend called me about a family in double trouble: First, the dad, who had seven children, was in a wheelchair because of diabetes issues. The mom had died of cancer a year before. The oldest, a daughter of nineteen, was undocumented. The rest, born here, were citizens, but they couldn’t find affordable housing and in two weeks would be homeless. Second, the oldest daughter, the glue of the family, could be sent back to Mexico. She needed a green card, but applications were closed.
I was assisting at a church in Laguna Beach, serving as the preacher. I shared the story of this family. We had found a mobile home in Lake Forest that could house the entire family for not much money. In my sermon, I asked this affluent congregation if anyone could help finance the home. No one volunteered. However, that afternoon, a parishioner called and said he would underwrite the purchase of the home. Issue one was handled.
Next, issue two needed to be dealt with. We had an immigration attorney in our congregation who, pro bono, promised to help the nineteen-year-old daughter apply for amnesty. Shortly thereafter, he called to say there was a week between Christmas and New Year’s when she could apply, but it would cost $1,500 in court fees. Again, as the preacher man I pleaded her case. After both services, as I greeted people at the door, they kept giving me checks and cash, which I stuffed in my pocket. That afternoon, I counted the money: $1,508. This young woman received her green card, and the congregation adopted the family, ensuring success for all.
At another church in Irvine, I met a young man from Indonesia who was attending the University of California, Irvine. He wanted to talk and shared that he had come out as gay and could never return to his country. I helped him find an attorney, and we applied for amnesty. Finally, the young man received his green card, graduated from UCI, and earned his master’s in finance. I’m happy to report that today he is an American citizen, holds a very responsible job, and is married. Not only is this a wonderful story, but it also speaks to the power of amnesty.
I met another family at church two weeks after they had arrived from Iran, and they were seeking amnesty. In Iran, the two daughters, not wearing Muslim clothing, were picked up by the religious police and told that next time, without proper attire, the police would throw acid in their faces. Mom and Dad packed their bags, and the four of them arrived in Southern California. I worked with this family for quite a few years. It took them eight years to get green cards. Today, they own a beautiful home. Dad has a very nice job in the aerospace industry. Mom, a midwife in Iran, is a sought-after caregiver. The oldest daughter, a UCI graduate, was just accepted to medical school in Chicago, and the youngest daughter is finishing her psychiatry degree. Bottom line: Iran lost a very productive family, and thanks to amnesty, our country gained a wonderful family. Amnesty has made our country even greater.
Here’s my final story: This family lived in an area of Mexico under cartel control. The father was an attorney, and the mom was a social worker. They had two boys, ages ten and fourteen. One day, the boys came home from school and said the cartel would kill their parents if the boys didn’t join. Immediately, the family packed their belongings and headed to California to start a new life. Today, the father is a licensed contractor in California, and the mother has a thriving housecleaning business. The oldest son graduated from UC Merced, is married, is a citizen, and has an excellent job. The younger son works with his dad. Thirteen years ago, this couple had a daughter who was born a citizen, and today she is a beautiful young Hispanic woman preparing for college.
What would America do without amnesty and immigrants? The present administration is trying to abolish them: White folks only, unless you have a billion dollars.
Welcoming strangers to our land and giving them the opportunity to be all they can be has always been the strength of our country and our democracy. Let’s keep it that way!
PeaceLoveJoyHopeKindness
Bil
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P.S. People often ask me provocative questions about current events, both religious and secular. I have found that some of these questions are being asked universally. I’ll be periodically alternating regular articles with one of those questions and my answer. I invite you to send me your question to bilaulenbach@yahoo.com.
Image by Liz Masoner from Pixabay
From my perspective, Bill, this is your best blog. The positive, hopeful tone is uplifting, encouraging your readers to “go and do likewise.” It’s also an example of how churches can be actively involved with immigrants.
Thank you.
Agree with Vivian Great tales of how people can come together to help those in need.
Incredible, successful, life-affirming work on your part. Thank you for relating your wonderful experiences.
What I find incredible is that organizations like the AMA or magazines like the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) do not stage a major uprising to rid us of our Trump administration. I read lots of articles of “concern.” I can’t imagine a weaker term.
However, finally, an article in last week’s NEJM article, entitled: “The Dismantling of Environmental Protections–A Grave Threat to America’s Health” called for action in the last paragraph, as follows: “We health professionals must call urgent attention to this silent but deadly assault on Americans’ health, work with broad coalitions to halt it, and ultimately rebuild the agencies protection, and shared sense of trust and responsibility that have given us clean air and water and enbabled us and our children to live longer healtheier lives.”
Unfortunately, it doesn’t suggest how to call “urgent attention” or provide an organizing platform.
Physicians must refuse to serve Congressional Republicans who are Trumpian. Are there physicians who are actually Trumpers? That’s like a surgeon who doesn’t believe in anesthesia! It’s hard to believe.