Copyright The Oregonian
How crowded and hot it must have been in steerage during the time it took to travel from Ireland to Ellis Island in the late 1800s. A farming family with five children had been among the first passengers to board the ship California in the port of Londonderry. This was my family. My father was the oldest at age 13; his youngest sibling was a year old. Their ultimate destination was Pittsburgh. We are all related to immigrants, unless we are Native American. Imagine how you or your dear children would like to be treated if you were just trying to make a better life for your family? It seems as though immigration agents are randomly snatching up people with nojustification or warrant. They are not behaving as true Americans. In our democracy, everyone deserves due process. What kind of training do the agents have? How frightening it is today to leave your home if you have dark skin or speak another language. I plead with the immigration officers to have empathy and treat others as they would liketo be treated. Of course I would expect immigrants to apply for citizenship. I honor my dad, Robert, and his family, for having the courage to leave their home to givetheir children a chance for a better life. As Robert’s daughter, I became a public-school music teacher and librarian who served her community with love and respect. Consider the important contributions most immigrants could make to our constitutional democracy. Julie Nader, Sherwood
