(C) Ohio Capital Journal
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Security and compassion can help us write a different immigration story [1]
['More From Author', 'November', 'Carl Ruby', 'Ph.D.']
Date: 2023-11-23
As a pastor, I feel the call to welcome the stranger and support people in need. Regarding migration, I appreciate the efforts of city leaders and many others who see, in migrants, fellow travelers created in God’s image and deserving of dignity.
At the same time, immigration has been and will continue to be an opportunity for growth — economically and demographically as well as spiritually.
Recently, my community has been challenged by the immigration of an unprecedented number of Haitian migrants. Some have responded in hate, while others raised legitimate concerns. Tensions over how to respond could divide us.
Instead, let’s focus on what can unite us. Yes, we need solutions to tremendous challenges at the border. We also need solutions for an antiquated immigration system that often leaves would-be immigrants with no legal path to come here except to come to the border and request asylum.
Rather than seize on polarization for political gain, Democrats and Republicans should work together on solutions. An overwhelming majority of Americans want exactly that: More than 80% of Americans — including 81% of self-identified conservatives — agree that “[a]s the U.S. works to restore order at the border, it is important that Republicans and Democrats work together to pass immigration reforms that address labor shortages and inflation, and protect people already here and contributing.”
That support is also shown by evangelical Christians. In a Lifeway Research poll last year 80% of evangelicals said they “would support Republicans and Democrats working together on a combination of reforms to strengthen border security, create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children and provide a reliable number of screened, legal farmworkers.”
Border and immigration solutions also will benefit native-born Americans in our communities.
In Clark County, for example, it’s clear to see why welcoming legal immigrants is a win-win.
According to data from the Ohio Department of Development, Clark County has lost 22,284 residents since 1970. It is projected to lose an additional 21,681 between now and 2050. Based on the average size of a household in Ohio, such a loss will result in 8,996 additional empty households here, representing a significant loss in economic contributions and tax revenue. It almost certainly would force businesses and churches to close. And as the average age of our population increases, it would pose very real challenges: Who will take care of older people, in health care settings and at home? How will we reach our full economic potential?
Immigrants are and can be much-needed contributors to our farms, businesses, churches and schools.
Cities such as Columbus and Detroit are growing in part because of their proactive approach to welcoming former refugees and other immigrants. We can learn from them. I would love to see Clark County counteract population loss by intentionally setting goals to become the most immigrant friendly rural county in Ohio. A strong immigrant workforce will help attract businesses to Clark County, which will benefit all our residents.
We can write a different story starting at the local level, where our local leaders and our community can urge policy changes that would allow us to build a better future. Controlled, legal immigration, together with reforms that address our challenges at the border, can help meet the needs of our local and national economy and address the current humanitarian crisis.
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https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/11/23/security-and-compassion-can-help-us-write-a-different-immigration-story/
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