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Immigration and the brotherhood of man
Q: Illegal immigrants are flouting U.S. laws, but does affluent America (or Arizona for that matter) have a larger moral or spiritual obligation to help illegal immigrants who are trying to better their lives? What about religious obligations to welcome the stranger? Are we our brother's keeper?
In the Qur'an, God tells us about the creation of humankind... "O Mankind! Be conscious of your Sustainer who has created you out of one soul, and from it created its mate, and from the two spread abroad a multitude of men and women." (4:1) and "O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you into nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knowing, Aware."
These verses confirm what is readily observable... humankind is a unity. We share one small planet that has no national borders carved into its landforms. And we share the same basic impulses: to be free from hunger, to be healthy, to have shelter from the elements, to share our lives with friends and family, to pursue those things that make us happy -- essentially to live in physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort.
Within this framework the question of illegal immigration becomes senseless. If we are all one brotherhood, then we have an equal obligation to all humankind, and all of mankind has an equal birthright to the natural resources of the world. Where one lives, the color of one's skin, the language one speaks, the type of clothing one wears, food one eats or music one listens to makes no difference. The believer is called to be compassionate to all mankind, not just those who belong to her or his perceived in-group(s). The question then becomes not whether we have an obligation to help, but rather how do we help.
Welcoming all immigrants to our country clearly is not the most efficient way to deal with the poverty, hunger, epidemics of preventable disease, etc., that afflict humankind across the globe. America cannot take in the millions upon millions of people who live in intolerable conditions around the world. Instead, we, along with the other developed nations, must take proactive steps to help lift our brothers and sisters out of poverty and deprivation.
This, obviously, would resolve issues of excessive and/or illegal immigration. If opportunity abounded around the world, there would be far less motivation to move from one country to another. Indeed, illegal immigrants do not flock to America because they want to be American, but because it is impossible to earn enough money in their home countries to take care of their families. When they can provide for their families and have a decent life in their home country, illegal immigration will cease to be a problem; it is only because we maintain an imbalanced global economy through protectionism and exploitative business practices that excessive immigration is an issue.
Equally clearly, the global economic imbalance can not continue forever. If developed nations took far greater responsibility for helping underdeveloped nations to improve their own economies and infrastructure, everyone would prosper sooner and with far less upheaval than it likely to happen under the current system where developed nations offer pittances while trying to ensure maximum their individual GNPs.
Until such time, we need to deal with immigrants in the most humane way possible, both legal and illegal, keeping in mind their, and our, basic humanity.
By
Pamela K. Taylor
|
May 27, 2010; 8:32 AM ET
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Posted by: Arif2 | May 30, 2010 5:19 PM
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You'll change your tune when one of those "illegals" set off a car bomb in a crowded square, or kidnaps and rapes your daughter (to name a few).
Mark
Always seek the truth.
Posted by: volkmare | May 30, 2010 9:56 AM
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test
Posted by: mono1 | May 30, 2010 9:26 AM
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Pamela: I agree with much of what you said. However, I feel no spiritual obligation to anyone because (a) I do not adhere to any religious faith and (b) there is no wide spread consensus as to the meaning of the term spiritual obligation.
I do believe we have a moral obligation to treat all other humans in moral ways - to care for them, assist them, treat them fairly and justly, etc.
I think your statement "we maintain an imbalanced global economy through protectionism and exploitative business practices" is too simplistic. Much of the imbalance and suffering in many countries has been brought on by their own immoral leaders.
I agree that we must treat illegal immigrants in the most humane way possible, but we must also deal with them as illegals -- people with contempt for the laws of this country. They knew the risks when they came. Their must be serious consequences for their illegal actions.
Posted by: cecilg | May 28, 2010 6:18 PM
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Remember when NAFTA was supposed to raise wages and improve living standards in Mexico? We need to start enforcing the fair labor standards portions of our trade agreement. The US border must not be Mexico's social safety net.
Posted by: WmarkW | May 28, 2010 8:55 AM
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The comments to this entry are closed.
Pamela, an immigrant made you a drone. you wear that rag on your head to hide your identity. Fortunately you are given a column to voice your islamic opinion. we know islam is an oppressive religion and its koran is the source of that mental baggage you carry. Please don't quote the filthy koran, it's not a source of tolerance and guide for freedom. The koran has verses in it that islamic societies dwell upon. Can immigration be the "brother hood of man" in S. Arabia or Iran or Pakistan? I don't think so.
Its time you start re-evaluating your new formed cult Islam.
Ban the koran.