One reason for the growing gap between liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans in America is the spreading of fear and misinformation about what the other side believes.
Sara Weinberger in her column (“Protecting immigrants a community fight,” July 17) writes, “These are dark times. Our leaders are incapable of empathizing with anyone who doesn’t share their birthright.”
What nonsense. The Republican Party is not the American (“Know Nothing”) Party of the 1850s. President Trump and his supporters in the Republican Party celebrate and applaud new citizens like the 49 at the Hampshire County Courthouse on July 4.
This is not a “troubling time” for immigrants. Republicans and conservatives are not anti-immigrant. We believe in the rule of law.
Try to cross a border illegally anywhere in the world and get a job and stay. If they caught you in France or South Africa, Israel or Mexico after you worked for 10 or 20 years, what do you think that country would do?
Perhaps Professor Weinberger with her background in education could explain why someone who willfully overstays their visa should pay less tuition at UMass than someone born in New York or Maine? If Professor Weinberger wants open borders and does not believe in the rule of law she should say so. Just don’t go spreading fear and lies.
Welcome to our 49 new citizens in Hampshire County and all the new legal citizens everywhere.
Douglas HIGGINS
Northampton