Opinion

Immigration is a justifiable pursuit for opportunities

By Leonard Collins ’15

Recent events like the Baltimore riots and the Nepal earthquake have devastated people across the globe. Yet, despite the tragic nature of these events, some here at Hamilton would likely ask, “how is an event happening hundreds or thousands of miles away any of my concern?” However, as more people start to migrate from these devastated areas, many across the world are beginning to understand their responsibilities in helping the global community.

It is clear that the world’s immigrant population is rising steadily from places like Eritrea and Central America. What remains an issue is why their problems should be imposed on us. As a response, certain public figures, most notably Pope Francis and Dolores Huerta, are conveying their disapproval of anti-immigration protests occurring across the world.  In an important address to a crowd in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis stated, “It is possible to overcome suspicion and prejudice, and to build a coexistence that is ever more secure, peaceful and inclusive.” Although immigrants have been scorned for the instant benefits they attain upon arrival, we must remain aware of their reasons for immigrating.

Given our fortune in being part of the Hamilton College community, we should understand why immigrants leave their native homes. Most immigrants are simply trying to find a new place to call home. However, students and staff at Hamilton, like most Americans, tend to segregate themselves into unacknowledged social groups, thereby forging their own borders that none may cross. It is hard to feel at home in a place that puts up walls.

Some may even believe that immigrants are invading our rightfully owned territory, when in fact most of us came from somewhere else besides America. In her lecture last Friday at the Chapel, Dolores Huerta said something very interesting: “ America is a land of immigrants.” Huerta’s implied message was that everyone immigrates in search for a new life. If our ancestors were given that chance then why should we deny that opportunity to today’s immigrants? However, we also need to overcome the borders we place in our minds in order to overcome the borders we place between each other.

Obviously some issues are going to be more significant to some than others, but that does not mean that we cannot acknowledge our interconnectedness that makes seemingly distant issues not our concern. Both Pope Francis and Ms. Huerta are asking for others across the globe to advocate for those met with considerable hardships in both their old and new homes. Just because we are on a hill does not separate us from the issues people face down below. With a growing immigrant population less than twenty minutes away, people can already help enrich the lives of newcomers that are trying to find the same American dream we are today. However, we must be willing to look outside ourselves in order to understand the problems others face right outside our doors.

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