Dear America,
I grew up thinking that you were a melting pot of ethnic backgrounds, thinking that you were “the land of the free, and the home of the brave.” But how brave is it to turn your eyes away from those hopeless individuals in dire need? How brave is it to turn your backs on those individuals who are crying for help? How brave is it to close your supposed welcoming arms to those seeking your assistance?
Many of us are seeking shelter. We are searching for a safe haven away from the dangers of war and persecution. Is it wrong of us to wish to attain a freedom free of fear and oppression? A vast majority of us who are seeking asylum on your land are women and children desperately in need of safety and shelter. As human beings don’t we possess the right to seek and receive asylum from persecution? Isn’t it morally wrong to deny us of that right especially during a time of crisis? Many of us already have family members living within your borders. We just wish to re-unite with them. We dream to live in the land of the freedom, a place where we can express ourselves freely and possess the freedom to worship, a place of peace and stability. Many of us come from poverty-stricken regions, rampant with injustice and corruption, and void of economic opportunities. Your country offers a decent quality of living – a quality of living that is a luxury in comparison to our realities. We have all shed blood, sweat and tears leaving everything we know behind to better our lives and those of our children. Do we not work hard enough? Do you think we enjoy having to clean other people’s bathrooms for a living? You seem to have the idea that we are stealing jobs. What jobs are we stealing? Most of us perform the tasks that nobody else wants to perform. Most of us are janitors, maids, and housekeepers. Many of us are breaking our backs to make less than minimum wage. We make measly wages and often have to work two to three jobs to afford basic living expenses, so that our kids are able to have a roof over their heads. We have positively contributed a great deal to your economy and society. We make up a crucial part of your workforce. Many of us have children who are your own citizens, children who were born on your beloved land and have lived here for their entire lives. They know no other home but you. So how can you spew hate in their direction as well?
How can you perceive us all as threats and dangerous to society? Why is it that you fuel such hateful practices containing such deceitful beliefs? What is it that we did wrong to make you hate us? Is it our fault for being born outside of your borders? Are we not worthy of being a part of greatness?
Your Respectfully,
Immigrants (hoping to one day belong)
