Refugees in Search for the Promised Land

Saturday afternoon, the first one this month, we sat in Whitewater hall and listened to some of Central Wisconsin's latest arrivals speak about their personal journeys. Refugees from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nicaragua, each happy to be here, safe, and feeling welcome, they all agreed. Missing terribly, and worried about loved ones left behind was another thought held in common. Stories of violence, and threats of violence, too, sewed their stories together. A couple of the men, one an Afghan, another from a refugee camp in Tanzania had ...

Oaths Of Office & The Common Good

Ben Franklin once said, “The good we do together surpasses the good we can do alone.” The meaning of that statement has stayed with me throughout all my endeavors to work for the common good, especially throughout my teaching career. It should be internalized by all those who seek an office in our government, at every level, in our democracy. So, it is astounding to me how many elected officials don’t know or care what their oaths of office to The People and the Constitution really mean. A conversation that I had with the Lt. Governor a few years ago offered ...

ALLOW ALL IMMIGRANTS ACCESS TO DRIVER LICENSES

Can you imagine living in Wisconsin without a driver’s license? There are Wisconsin residents who happen to be undocumented immigrants. They have families and many of them are employed. Yet they cannot operate a vehicle on Wisconsin roads. An estimated 32,000 Wisconsin residents are undocumented and therefore cannot get a Wisconsin driver’s license. Of the residents who would get licenses, 14,000 live with children and would be able to better care and provide for them. 22,000 residents who would get driver licenses are employed and would be able to get to work ...

Action Alert

Stopping Trump #39’s assumption of emergency powers will require massive citizen action. The House and Republican controlled Senate have voted to overturn the declaration. But Trump vetoed the resolutions. Overriding a veto will be very difficult and will only happen with extraordinary public pressure. Lawsuits have been filed to end the declaration. But these may take years to resolve and the outcome is not assured. Most federal judges have been appointed by Republican presidents. Historically the courts, especially the U.S. Supreme Court, have been ...

A HISTORY OF THE WALL

The first wall between Mexico and United States was not built to keep out people. It was built to keep out cattle. The first federally funded border fence between Mexico and United States went up in 1911. It was mean to keep out the ticks that came with the cattle from Mexico. Mexican cattle wandered over the southern border with “Texas fever” caused by ticks. This destroyed many cattle on both sides of the border. This increased the price of beef. A barbed-wire fence was put up but did not help very much. There have been repeated outbreaks of Texas fever, ...

Make America America Again

Like nearly all Americans, I am the offspring of immigrants. The peasant farmers whose family name I inherited came from Ireland. They left a homeland savaged by famine, trading a grim reality of financial ruin and starvation for the promise of a new and better life. They were part of what might be described today as a massive caravan that took incalculable risk to make its way across a vast ocean seeking refuge and comfort from the Mother of Exiles. My immigrant ancestors settled first in New Jersey before journeying to northern Illinois and eventually Wisconsin. ...

What About the Caravan?

U.S. troops shot rubber bullets and tear gas at caravan members reaching the U.S. border. Why would people travel for one month to reach our border only to be fired upon? Let’s look at the beginning. In mid-October about 160 people began their long dangerous journey from San Pedro Sula, Honduras. This is is the center for gangs and drug trafficking. The 160 people decided to travel together for safety, as is often done in their land. By the time they reached the Guatemala border, more than 1000 people were in the caravan. By the time they reached Mexico, the ...

STOP REINFORCING ANTI-IMMIGRANT IDEAS

Here are some tips to keep in mind when you talk about immigration: Immigrants are people who move—and are part of “us.” Always use inclusive language that emphasizes immigrants’ humanity and full membership in our communities: our neighbors, friends, and families. Avoid “good immigrants” versus “bad immigrants” talk. All people deserve to be treated humanely, whether they were valedictorians or not, whether they have a legal asylum claim or not, whether they were brought to the U.S. as children or came here on their own. When people say that ...

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON IMMIGRATION IN CENTRAL WISCONSIN

Join us on Thursday, October 5th, for our Women for Women Meeting Time: 6:00 to 7:30 pm Location: Marathon Co Democratic Office, 833 S 3rd Ave., Wausau Topic: Social Justice and Its Implications on Immigration in Central Wisconsin Presenter: Sister Peggy Jackson Across from the street from the Merrill Post Office is a sign that reads “I was an immigrant and you welcomed me.” This billboard was erected by the Holy Cross Sisters of Merrill. The sisters have always promoted social justice issues and have been a friend to refugees and immigrants in central ...