From Al Hudson

Monroe

To the Editor:

I simply wasn’t prepared to speak. And hindsight is always 20/20.

I attended this week’s city council meeting as a show of support for the proposed resolution to support immigrants in our community. I simply wasn’t prepared to speak, and I couldn’t think of a good message at the time.

It offends me to hear immigrants referred to as “illegals.” They are people. They are our neighbors. They are children of God, no greater or lesser than any of us. They came to this country in search of better lives for themselves and their children, just as our ancestors did. The federal immigration system is broken and complex. It is expensive and it takes years, sometimes decades, to achieve citizenship. Those seeking asylum from dangerous circumstances face a steep and difficult road.

I believe that politicians, whether local or national, are elected to vote their conscience, sometimes having to make difficult choices. They are not commissioned to carry what they perceive to be the will of the people. I wish our city council members felt the same way, that they would not have been swayed by (as some alders reported at the meeting the numbers of pro and con emails they had received) the vocal anti-resolution folks only because they were better than the supporters at mobilizing quickly.

As Alder Vestin stated near the end of the alders’ discussion period, it is very Midwestern to be modest. It is not necessary or becoming to boast of our achievements or attitudes. I think all in attendance would agree that Monroe is generally a friendly and welcoming place. But it would have meant a great deal to the immigrant community for us to say it out loud.

I think we all understand and agree that the proposed resolution had no teeth. It would not have changed city policies or procedures. It would certainly not have established Monroe as a sanctuary city. The proposed resolution was like any other proclamation or resolution — a symbolic gesture of support, expressing welcome and gratitude to the immigrant community for contributing to the culture and economy, especially in the agriculture and cheese industries.

And for those of you who believe that every word in the Bible is God’s Holy, Unerring, and Unquestionable Truth: Take a peek at Leviticus 19:33-34.