Not the Headlines -- Immigration Heritage Month

The Listening Tube presents not the headlines. I'm Bob Woodley from The Listening Tube. If I say something stupid, send me a text from the homepage at thelisteningtube.com. June is a month that includes several occasions to recognize some issue or identity. Besides my birthday, June also includes Flag Day, Pride Month, Juneteenth, and Immigrant Heritage Month. I don't get as excited about my birthday as I used to, so let's explore the possibilities of Immigrant Heritage Month. Immigration has certainly been at the forefront of many issues lately. From the open border policies of the Biden administration to the closed border policies of the Trump administration, immigration has become a great divider of the American population. One side accuses the other side of letting immigrants run amok and destabilizing our societies and stretch thin our resources. While the other side considers borders to be racist symbols of oppression and that America should welcome immigrants regardless of their path here and their intentions upon arriving. The demonstrations at Delaney Hall in New Jersey and other resistance to detention centers around the country, coupled with the refusal of state and local governments to cooperate with immigration laws, are clear signals that that side of the issue wants not only open borders, but those who are in the country illegally to remain here, citing the immigrant heritage of the United States of America. And because they will go to such lengths to protect those who are here illegally, they proclaim that anyone who objects to their philosophy is completely opposed to immigration and the immigrants that migrate here. We hear things like Republicans hate immigrants, they want to get rid of black and brown people, and this country was built by immigrants. Immigration laws are racist, and every one of the detainees has black or brown skin. These phrases are generic tropes that have no meaning but seem to carry weight with some. Republicans don't hate immigrants. Many immigrants are Republicans. We all should know that immigrants built this country. I don't know if they still teach that in school, but those who keep reminding us seem to think that we don't already know that, and therefore having an open border and no immigration enforcement is justified. Most Americans don't agree. Most Americans understand the contributions of people from all over the world that came to America and became more than they could have ever imagined. Our immigration system was designed to accomplish that reciprocal benefit. Come to America, follow the rules, and your possibilities are endless. And millions have, and they are welcome here. And nobody questions their presence or motivation because they followed the rules to get here and are making a valuable contribution to the country while at the same time enriching their own lives. That's the immigration we celebrate. That's the immigration we welcome. That's the immigration we recognize when we recognize June as Immigrant Heritage Month. Immigrant Heritage Month has been around since 2014, so it's fairly new because before that we knew the impact immigrants had on the United States of America because a lot of us were immigrants. I'm not, but my grandparents were. My paternal grandfather changed the spelling of his surname to make it seem more American. My father modified the spelling even further. Just to avoid any confusion, I'm not talking about my current surname, I'm talking about the one I was born with. Anyway, Presidents Obama and Biden both proclaimed Immigrant Heritage Month as the month of June. President Trump has never made such a proclamation. Perhaps his wife is demonstrative of his appreciation for immigrants. Regardless, the mayor of Omaha, Nebraska has declared June Immigrant Heritage Month. But not because of the invaluable contributions made by immigrants. No, it was to recognize seventy-six illegal immigrants who were detained after it was discovered that they had stolen the identities of American citizens and were here and working illegally at the Glen Valley Foods Plant in South Omaha. So the mayor of Omaha, a guy named John Ewing, hijacked something that's supposed to recognize the contributions of immigrants to bring attention to dozens of illegal alien identity thieves. At a press conference to make the proclamation, Mayor Ewing is quoted as saying by the Omaha World Herald, The story of America is in many ways the story of immigrants. Generations of people came here seeking opportunity, building communities, creating businesses, and helping our nation grow. Their contributions can be seen in every neighborhood, every industry, and every corner of our city. And all of that is true. But that's not what the people detained at the food plant were. They weren't building communities or creating businesses. They were using other people's identities to work here illegally. And Omaha Mayor Ewing felt the need to hold them up as shining examples of the contributions of immigrants to the United States of America. And therein lies the rub. Most Americans value and appreciate the contributions of immigrants to the country and society at large. Most Americans don't care from where you came, what you value or who you love, as long as you follow the rules and contribute to society. Don't come here without following the proper procedures, and when you get here, assimilate to American society. Sure, you can have your ethnic foods and other practices. I still eat pierogies and enjoy a good polka, like my ancestors did. But I'm a proud American, like many who weren't born here and became citizens. Unfortunately, people like the mayor of Omaha don't see the difference between immigrants and illegal aliens.com