Trump’s Immigration Plan is a Big Mistake

Use Immigrants to Fight ISIS

 

Donald Trump’s plan to completely close the door to immigrant from the Middle East is a big mistake for several reasons.  This short article will explain why.  First, America was founded by immigrants.  Unless you’re Native American, we are all immigrants.  Trump’s mother was born in Scotland and his father’s parents (i.e. Trump’s grand parents) were born in Germany.  America is a nation created by immigrants and our diversity has been one of the reasons that America has led the world in technology and creativity.  Immigrants are one of our strengths.

            Secondly, many of the immigrants coming to this country, came because they were fleeing religious persecution.  How is justice served if we close our doors to those seeking asylum from war torn countries, based on their religious beliefs?  We would be breaking one of America’s most sacred oaths, “religious freedom”.

            Next, propaganda expounded by Islamic terrorists teaches how western civilization detests the Moslem religion.  Forbidding Moslem immigrants into the U. S. would play directly into the hands of these fundamentalists, reinforce their statements.

            Finally there is an opportunity here for the U. S. to recruit Middle East immigrants to help fight against terrorism.  Who is more motivated to rid their home country of terrorist than those who have lost their loved ones, lost their homes to terrorist thugs?  A properly trained and armed immigrant force could make excellent recruits to fight for their own home and family.  After all, the immigrants speak the language, know the culture and beliefs of their terrorist enemy.  The U. S. should develop a program, along with other coalition nations, to recruit and develop a native fighting force and fight fire with fire.          

            There is a natural desire to fortify our safety by limiting immigrants that can do us harm.  Even though our intelligence agencies are working hard to identify every terrorist that may sneak in with the thousands of other innocent people, there is no guarantee that every terrorist will be found.  On the other hand, our actions may actually do us more harm than good by providing addition propaganda to terrorist recruiters.  In addition, we are a nation founded on principles.  We cannot just shove aside those principles whenever it suits us.  If we do, then we stand for nothing.

 

by Terry AmRhein

Author of Democracy on the Edge

available at www.amrheinsbooks.com