I’m a proud 24-year-old steelworker from Wauseon, a lifelong resident of northwest Ohio. I cherish local news and the pride of being from this area.
For years, a disturbing trend has bothered me: the dehumanization of people not from this country. My initial view of the MAGA movement was positive, focused on economic recovery and American pride. But it has devolved into blatant racism and hatred toward those escaping dire circumstances and tyrannical governments. I fully support deporting criminals and violent individuals who come to harm us.
However, deporting someone who is working hard, striving to live the American dream, simply for being undocumented? That’s cruel and inhumane. Why waste resources deporting productive individuals when we could focus those efforts on removing crime and violence?
One of my best friends, who worked 50-hour weeks supporting his family here for years, was deported. His only offense was lacking papers. Thanks to an overreaction, fueled by hatred and the ease of cruelty, he is now alone in Spain. His wife, children and friends remain here, unable to join him, in the “land of the free.” For a nation that boasts of welcoming all seeking a better tomorrow, our government seems to make that a lie.
What happened to kindness for its own sake? Why should we only accept immigrants wealthy enough to navigate the expensive U.S. processing system? Where is our compassion for families fleeing danger? Are simple papers truly more important than our God-given humanity?
These “illegal aliens,” these human beings, are suffering. While a small percentage may have ill intentions, the USA is equipped to filter them out. Why tear apart families and homes unnecessarily? Why assume our law enforcement cannot distinguish between a criminal and someone seeking freedom? Why use tragedies like Laken Riley’s as an excuse to incite rage against an entire race because of one criminal? These current immigration policies risk America’s downfall.
Kindness should be freely given, not earned. Don’t let political movements blind you to the difference between good policy and hateful actions. Remember, we are no better than any other human. Living in America is a privilege. Why turn our backs on those seeking the very same future we desired when we left England in the 1600s?
Bransen Reynolds
Wauseon
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