To The Reader’s Forum:

Dear Mr. Langworthy,

About a month ago I called your D.C. office and talked at length about your immigration policies. You have been quite vocal about your support of President Trump’s policies to deport “criminals” and “illegals” because you feel this will make our community safer. There are refugees living in Jamestown who have been vetted by the UN and the US State Department. They are not criminals. I asked your staffer when will you make a public statement in support of immigrants/refugees who are here legally.

I have yet to see this public statement from you. What is your stance on immigrants who have come here legally? Do you support their presence in our community?

Since the time I talked with your staff member, the news has been full of stories of folks of various legal statuses – some even US citizens – who were trafficked to an El Salvadorian prison, notorious for its cruelty. Where is your outrage over this? Some of these folks were taken in error, their “crime” being in the wrong place at the wrong time! Where is their due process? Maybe some of them indeed are criminals who should be deported, but since they did not go through a trial, we don’t know. The US Constitution affords the right of due process to all who are in the country, whether citizens or not.

I have a passion for supporting refugees and immigrants. I have volunteered for this work for decades: welcoming them into my home, helping them to learn English, finding employment, accompanying them to the hospital after a car accident, running errands, assisting them in applying for their green cards, etc, etc. These are fine individuals who fled unimaginable horrors in their homelands to come to the US where they believed they would be welcomed. They are not criminals! Their children earn “Student of the Month” awards in school. They are valued employees who take jobs which others turn down. They support the local economy with their shopping and sales tax. They attend church and youth group programs where they put money in the collection plate. And in return, they fear they will be whisked away and sent to a hellhole worse than the country they fled.

When will you speak up in support of these valued, safe newcomers?

Sincerely,

Marie C. Vos

Jamestown