Discussing Immigration

As someone who isn't one of the frothing-at-the-mouth people who thinks we should deport anyone who isn't here "legally" (ahem, that ought to include Anglo-Saxons, et al if we really want to get into THAT argument) and criminalize anyone who stays, I signed the petition to support Jose Antonio Vargas' efforts to start a new conversation. Like discussions about race between people with whom we interact each day, it can be difficult to get people discussing immigration (unless they have a little foam gathered at the corners of their mouths). Today I got a response form email that offered some suggestions on how to get this discussion started, and here's a rather large excerpt:

Now we have to get going. Our country needs a new conversation about immigration and that conversation starts with us at our dinner tables, office water coolers, and wherever we gather. It starts with asking our fellow Americans the hard questions:

• What would you do if you found out that a member of your parish didn't have papers?


• What would you do if one of your students couldn't travel to Arizona for a school trip?


• What would you do if your child's best friend wasn't here legally?


• How do we define "American" today?

This weekend, as you come together with friends or family on this special holiday, you can honor your pledge by striking up a conversation about immigration with at least two people. Use these questions, or your own. But let's start talking. It's the only way we're going to figure this out.