As the grandson of immigrants, I've always felt privileged to have opportunity in America. I believe our country should live up to the words emblazoned on the Statue of Liberty. That said, border states in America are on the front lines of the immigration battle, so things seem more urgent her in Arizona. American immigration policy has always been based on expediency, but it would be nice if it were based on compassionate humanity instead. There was an opinion piece in Arizona Daily Star this morning written by Laurie Jurs, long time resident of southern Arizona and member of the Green Valley Sahuarita Samaritans. As a front line advocate, she offers some of the best suggestions on immigration I've read. I thought I'd share. She says first: Open up the ports of entry. Modernize the asylum systems. Add more processing functions at the border without sacrificing due process, legal input and just mercy. Upstream, add more judges to whittle down the case backlog. Make it easier for good people to enter the country. Let law enforcement deal with the bad guys. Simply put, immigrants want to work and we have the jobs. Second, go after fentanyl where it is, the ports, not the desert. Third, focus on Congressional authority. Assuming there still is a rule of law in this country, make sensible laws that meet the moment, and not just a vendetta or some histrionic agenda. Fourth, agree to stop inflammatory rhetoric. No one is advocating for open borders, but many folks with power are continually talking "invasion". Proven alternatives to detention exist. Promote those. Finally, meet with more stakeholders. All solutions are not found in law enforcement. Try to walk in another's shoes. Maybe if more voices were allowed at the table, the policy implemented would be more effective, more humane, more sustainable, and more just. Just saying. I thought she made good sense. In other news, the Rillito River bed is dry. The raging flood waters have vanished. I'm still managing a $.33 cent lead on the Cager, and I got a three mile walk in today while Judy was put through her paces by her trainer, Rob. Another reason to think life is good, especially today.
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