Last month the State Department announced that it was pausing immigrant visa (i.e. green card) processing for citizens of 75 countries. The reason given was that individuals from those countries who have immigrated to the United States allegedly apply for financial assistance in larger numbers than citizens from other countries. This should come as no surprise based upon the president’s prior pejorative language in referring to many of those nations.
Some people may say, “I’m not from one of those countries. Why should I care?” Pastor Martin Niemoeller told the world why in the last century:
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
Now is the time once again to speak up for everyone. Many individuals have been waiting years or decades to be reunited with their families. Arbitrarily singling out certain countries is unwarranted and unacceptable. Contact your elected officials and share your concerns.