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Keeping open the Gates

'Close the doors, America is full.'

Concerning last week's letter, I've heard people say, if not those exact words, ones very close to them. I have been told by the descendants of immigrants that it was great when their grandparents came over. But in 2015? We can't really trust who wants to come over anymore. They could be terrorists! Besides, we've got it good here; everyone else stay out.

This attitude makes me want to cry. I live in the United States of America, but I am a citizen of the world, I am an Episcopalian, an Anglican, a human being. My paternal great-grandfather cam to the US from Germany through the Great Lakes in 1907. He was allowed through, no one shut the door.

A reasonable immigration policy, for any country, does not look at the color of one's skin or the type of religion. It looks at human need and at what we can do to help. Those who have more should share with those who have less and do what we can. Yes, we live in a world of finite resources and borders to watch for dangers, but countries cannot simply close the doors to new immigrants. We would be poorer in so many ways without them: in ideas, in our work force, and in our souls.

Almost fourteen years ago to the day, the country I live in was attacked. Planes crashed, and innocents died. Foreigners, visas, and immigration were all blamed. But the border policy did not cause September 11, 2001. Hate and anger caused it.

There are risks everywhere; it is the nature of the mortal world. I would rather reach out a helping hand now, then lock the gates for good.

Mack Knopf
St. Andrew's Episcopal
Birmingham, Alabama 35205
mknopf@gmail.com
11 September 2015

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Earlier letters

We launched our 'Letters to AO' section on 11 May 2003. All published letters are in our archives.