Immigration.....A Walk In Their Shoes!

Before you judge the people coming from Central America and Mexico who are illegally crossing the U.S. border, walk a step or two in their shoes.  We are extraordinarily privileged to have been born in a country that is a stable democracy and a world economic powerhouse providing us Americans with opportunities allowing us access to the world and freedoms beyond the imagination of most of humanity.  

Have you been to Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador or any number of developing democracies/economies in the world beyond a vacation to one of their exclusive beach front resorts? Have you spent any time experiencing the day-to-day lives of these people who are simply trying to survive to live another day? Unfortunately the overwhelming majority of human beings attempting to enter the U.S. along our southern border are doing so in an attempt to stay alive. They are subjecting themselves to extraordinary risk not because they so desire to inflict their problems on Americans or hope we will foot the bill for their existence, they are simply taking those risks because the alternative is death. 

On April 23, 2018, the U.S. government ordered the departure of U.S. government family members and authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. government personnel due to crime, civil unrest and limited healthcare availability in Nicaragua. This is not a precautionary measure this is an order for government family members to leave the country and as for the voluntary departure of U.S. government personnel this means they are actually encouraged to return to the U.S., where they will still be employed but unfortunately unable to actually contribute much if anything to our mission in Nicaragua.  Crime throughout Central America crosses a variety of sectors and is contributed to decades of corruption throughout both the public and private sector.  These activities extend far beyond gang violence.  

The United States has a long history of supporting Latin American dictators for the benefit of our own commercial interest and strategic military operations at the detriment of their citizens. Corruption ran deep under the rule of these despots and it was the innocent who paid the price. Our United States government contributed to the degradation of those cultures and allowed an environment to flourish where criminals ran amuck and the innocent suffered. Unfortunately today those countries no longer have the ability to protect their general population and though not entirely the fault of the United States we certainly have some accountability.  And now that we no longer need strategic cooperation from those governments and do not receive a significant economic benefit through trade agreements with those countries, are we simply going to turn our backs on the humanity whose suffering in some ways we created? 

Donald Trump and his advisors perpetuate America as a Christian nation with a nationalistic approach to values, but what he fails to understand is in the world of diplomacy you don’t get a do-over.  It is not a zero sum game and you can’t make the rules as you go along.  Relationships with governments are based on decades of history and in some cases centuries.  When you become the leader of a country you inherit all the history of those relationships and must navigate the accountability that comes with that history as you move your own foreign policy forward.  This is how democracies function.  We don’t have the privilege of starting over.  The United States if truly a country of Christian values cannot turn it’s back on those simply trying to live another day. We cannot rip children from the arms of parents whose only crime originates from attempting to survive.  Can we open our border to every single human being that wants to immigrate to the United States? Obviously not, but we can extend our hand in a humane and comforting way to find solutions for those who truly have no ability to help themselves. After all, I do believe that is the very foundation of Christian biblical teaching. 

These immigrants are not running to the United States to steal our jobs or live on our social programs, they are running to the United States for help because we are the largest and most powerful nation on earth and it just so happens these are our neighbors with quite frankly no where else to turn. We must sincerely revisit our foreign policy in Central America and do everything possible not just to provide financial resources but also to provide guidance and encouragement in developing a future for their people.  It isn’t us versus them, the United States would benefit greatly from a prosperous and vibrant Central America and the future generations of the United States would be better served by our efforts today.  In the meantime, do your best to understand if just for one minute what life is like for these families who so desperately just want to live another day.

OXFORD – THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

Returning to Oxford for Module 2 was filled with anxiety and mystery unlike my initial journey.  My first sojourn to Oxford was filled with excitement and a sense of accomplishment of having been accepted to this prestigious institution.  I now faced the initial assessment after having experienced Module 1 and spending five short weeks at home reading and attempting to comprehend a series of frameworks to which I had never been exposed.

During our course intermission I had the opportunity to engage with several members of my cohort during online and conference call study groups.  We had lengthy discussions about our course material and experiences during our first module and shared our understanding of the frameworks.  Interestingly these calls ended with a consensus despite exploring a variety of positions on the application of the frameworks to which we were exposed.

My study group calls were like riding a rollercoaster vis-à-vis my feelings.  I would end one call with a self-confirmed notion that I had a complete understanding of the material and how to apply it in an actual business climate only to end the following call with a total and complete conviction that I was drowning.  I was convinced that I was the only person in the entire cohort who had no understanding of the material and every other colleague of mine had a complete grasp of these concepts, I was surely doomed to fail! Possessing a bit of a flair for the dramatic no doubt.

After getting my acceptance letter I was so excited that I immediately made all of my travel arrangements for the entire year I would spend traveling to and from Oxford.  As I was preparing to travel back to Oxford for Module 2 our class representatives began forming plans for a study group that would take place the afternoon before the assessment on day one of the module.  WAIT! A final study group, I can’t attend a final study group I am going to be traveling.  True panic ensued and I was close to complete meltdown mode.  After a delay with my flight and negotiation with the airline I was able to adjust my schedule to join my group in Oxford.

Study group complete, a few of us decided a relaxing dinner and a good night’s sleep was in order.  The dinner was relaxing and the discussion primarily avoided any of the subject matter for the assessment the next morning.  We are all experienced professionals and at this point if you had not prepared then the onus and outcome is on you.  The morning arrived and following a solid breakfast I donned my sub fusc and arrived with my fellow cohorts for our assessment.

As I entered the examination hall with other cohorts and students from other courses taking place simultaneous to our class, there it was a sea of non-descript desks all accompanied by a single chair, all of them identical.  It reminded me of a large high school gymnasium built in 1960 and as a result of this familiar institutional setting I exhaled and found comfort in the feeling I have been here before.  Arriving with a feeling of despair I soon realized my flair for the dramatic was wasted energy as I turned over the page with the assessment questions. I discovered the cohesiveness and open communication developed among my classmates had adequately prepared me for the task at hand.

Though my assessment evaluation will be forthcoming at this point I am glad to have crossed yet another hurdle in life and that is I experienced a test at one of the world’s most notable universities and survived, the journey continues!

Reaching - An Oxford Experience

There are times when life presents you with a curiosity and opportunity collectively and the end result leads to something very special.  I have experienced this scenario a few times in my life but most recently it required an expertise level completely out of my wheelhouse.  If by definition of being compensated means being a working professional then by definition I retired a few years ago.  Since that time I have been pursuing interests that are passionate to me primarily in the humanitarian sector working with non-profits and NGO’s. I have spent the past several years working in the diplomatic arena on initiatives impacting marginalized groups in developing democracies and had the opportunity to travel throughout the world meeting with influencers, government leaders, elected officials and even Prime Ministers and Presidents strategizing on plans to pursue equality for all people.

None of these experiences typically leads one to a pursuit of educational advancement, however I have rarely followed a typical path.  Last summer I relocated back to my home in the United States after living abroad for three plus years.  Though I love playing golf, tennis and reading there is only so much of that one can do before the mind begins to beg for challenges, so I decided to return to school.  Following my undergraduate degree from a public university I immediately entered the workforce.  My plan had always been to go to law school but unfortunately at the time resources were not available to me to pursue that goal.  After 30 years in the public relations and sales industry I decided to return to the educational environment and accomplish what I had wanted to achieve 30 years ago.  I live walking distance to a prominent university in my hometown and began to explore options for attending a program there, but as I began my research I realized I was restricting myself instead of reaching for something greater.

I started exploring the idea that if I could attend any university I wanted, anywhere in the world, what would that look like?  And so I discovered Oxford University and the Diploma in Global Business.  I researched the program and the Said Business School discovering not only is the program extremely distinctive but the learning environment and tools at your disposable for achieving success are extraordinary and the educators and staff are extremely responsive and encouraging.  I have completed my first module and unlike being thrown into the deep end of the pool and expected to swim, we were thrown into the deep end of the pool with the most amazing lifeguards and are being taught how to swim.  The University of Oxford is an amazing environment providing encouragement and resources at every turn.  The program is clearly designed to provide you with the tools to achieve success and advance your personal goals and initiatives.  I entered the first module on day one with a huge amount of apprehension and anxiety only to exit it with the excitement that our entire cohort is developing a network of educational and professional excellence on which we all can build our dreams for the future.  The University of Oxford, the City of Oxford, the Said Business School, the staff, my fellow classmates and our fellow alumni is a community I already feel very much a part of and a responsibility and dedication to contributing my very best.  As I move forward in DipGB2018 I extend my most sincere wishes for our collective success and making a contribution that will benefit a better future for all of you.

Ambassador Brewster Responds to President Trumps Immigration Policy - Embajador Brewster responde a la politica de immigracion de Trump

The United States executive branch of government or more commonly known as the White House is continuing to move toward a more isolationist approach to immigration and in recent weeks it appears to be gaining momentum.  President Donald Trump has made aggressive approaches to alter current immigration polices for no other reason than an attempt to negotiate an archaic campaign policy at the expense of human compassion.  He promised to build a wall along the border between the Unites States and Mexico.  A few days ago President Trump began referring to a long-standing U.S. immigration policy promoting family reunification as “chain migration”.  Mr. Trumps specific terminology is being used in a defamatory and insulting tone to cast objectivity on those being marginalized by his new proposed immigration policy. According to Ambassador James Brewster, the former U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, he says, “President Trump once again is showing his racism toward other cultures and trying to shut our borders to those values and ideas that created the worlds greatest nation”.  His expression of contempt and disapproval for human beings who have no other purpose but to build a better life for themselves and those around them is beyond being psychopathic it is honestly non-human. 

As of October 5, 2017 there were approximately 690,000 registered “Dreamers” in the United States.  These are human beings who voluntarily registered their illegal status with Homeland Security with the understanding by doing so they would avoid the risk of deportation and ultimately find a path to legal resident status in the United States.  Unfortunately by executive order President Trump has rescinded that promise by the previous administration and has demanded that the U.S. Congress negotiate a new path of legalization for these young people.  The challenge is President Trump is demanding that as a part of this legislation an agreement is made to fund the construction of the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.  This leaves a very uncertain future for those “Dreamers” who trusted the U.S. government to protect them providing they cooperated by self-identifying their status.  As of October 5, 2017 the United States is no longer accepting new DACA applications and beginning early this year the clock will start ticking for those who are currently registered and their deportation will become imminent. 

This past week President Trump declared that, “Chain migration is a total disaster which threatens our security and our economy and provides a gateway for terrorism,” he said, referring to the current system that allows many immigrants to sponsor their extended family members including spouses, children and parents.  Of all the domestic terrorist attacks on U.S. soil involving mass shootings not a single one was a result of family reunification immigration policies.  Not ONE!  According to Ambassador Brewster, “President Trump is wrong in saying that family reunification is a threat to the United States.  Immigration from countries such as the Dominican Republic is what makes the U.S. a strong and stable democracy”.  There is a fear-based culture that has concerned themselves with the untruth that every immigrant in the United States can bring every blood relative to the United States and this is simply false. There is a very strict application process and required documentation that must be presented to not only begin the process of immigration but also it can take as long as twenty years for the final process to come to fruition.  Under the current U.S. immigration system, not every relative can be sponsored for a green card. For example, uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents are not eligible for green cards through family-sponsored immigration. Only parents, spouses, children and siblings of U.S. Citizens and spouses and children of green card holders (lawful permanent residents) are eligible. Second, of those family members, only spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents of U.S. citizens may be sponsored for a green card without being subject to any quota.  All other applicants are subjected to certain annual numerical caps. The comprehensive immigration reform bill passed by the Senate last year further restricts family-sponsored immigration by eliminating the ability of U.S. citizens to sponsor their siblings and adult children over the age of 30.  In addition, it establishes a merit-based point system whereby intending immigrants can accumulate points for English language proficiency, education and skills, towards getting a green card. Ambassador Brewster says, “Dominicans should know as well as all others around the world the immigration rhetoric coming from the White House is not in line with the values of the majority of Americans.  All countries should be inclusive societies, not exclusive Mr. Trump”.  If these measures become U.S. law it will continue to restrict the opportunity for those applicants hoping to immigrate to the United States. 

“It is the diversity and inclusion of our society and all societies that make our countries strong.  Trump is wrong and does not stand for the values of the majority Americans. Family reunification has always been, and should continue to be, a cornerstone of our immigration system.  But how we define “family” is as equally important” said Ambassador Brewster.  We need to continue to promote the idea of what being a “Dreamer” is, not just for immigrants but also for Americans instead of promoting that we all become afraid of inclusion.

ESPANOL

La rama ejecutiva del gobierno de los Estados Unidos, mejor conocida como la Casa Blanca, continúa avanzando hacia un enfoque migratorio más aislacionista, la cual parece estar ganando impulso en las últimas semanas. El presidente Donald Trump ha adoptado enfoques agresivos para modificar las actuales políticas de inmigración sin otro motivo que un intento de negociar una política arcaica a expensas de la compasión humana. Prometió construir un muro a lo largo de la frontera entre los Estados Unidos y México. Hace unos días, el presidente Trump comenzó a referirse a una política de inmigración estadounidense, existente desde hace mucho, que promueve la reunificación familiar como “migración en cadena”. La terminología específica que está usando el Sr. Trump en un tono difamatorio e insultante sirve para arrojar objetividad sobre los marginados por su nueva política migratoria propuesta. Según el Embajador James Brewster, ex-Embajador de los Estados Unidos en la República Dominicana: “El presidente Trump una vez más pone de manifiesto su racismo hacia otras culturas, tratando de cerrar nuestras fronteras a los valores e ideales bajo los cuales se fundó la nación más grande del mundo.” Sus expresiones de desprecio y desaprobación para los seres humanos, que no tienen otro propósito más que el de construir una vida mejor para ellos y para quienes los rodean, es algo peor que ser psicópata, y honestamente es inhumano.

El 5 de octubre de 2017, había aproximadamente 690,000 Dreamers (“Soñadores”) registrados en los Estados Unidos. Estas son personas  que registraron su estado indocumentado de manera voluntaria con el Departamento de “Homeland Security” (Seguridad Nacional) en el entendido de que así evitarían el riesgo de deportación y, finalmente, encontrarían el camino hacia el estatus de residente en los Estados Unidos. Desafortunadamente, por orden ejecutiva, el presidente Trump ha anulado esa promesa de la administración anterior y ha exigido que el Congreso de Estados Unidos negocie un nuevo camino de legalización para estos jóvenes. El desafío yace en que el presidente Trump exige, como parte de esta legislación, que se llegue a un acuerdo para financiar la construcción del muro fronterizo entre los Estados Unidos y México. Esto ocasiona que el futuro para aquellos “Dreamers” que confiaron en que el gobierno estadounidense los protegerían, se torne incierto. A partir del 5 de octubre de 2017, el gobierno estadounidense ya no está aceptando nuevas solicitudes de DACA y, a principios de este año, el reloj comenzará a correr para aquellos que están actualmente registrados y su deportación podría ser inminente.

La semana pasada, el presidente Trump declaró: "La migración en cadena es un desastre total que amenaza nuestra seguridad y nuestra economía y abre la puerta al terrorismo", dijo, refiriéndose al sistema actual que permite que muchos inmigrantes patrocinen a sus familiares, incluyendo cónyuges, niños y padres. De todos los ataques terroristas internos en suelo estadounidense que involucraron tiroteos masivos, ninguno fue el resultado de políticas de inmigración de reunificación familiar. ¡Ni uno! Según el Embajador Brewster, "el presidente Trump se equivoca al decir que la reunificación familiar es una amenaza para Estados Unidos. La inmigración de países como República Dominicana es lo que hace que los EE.UU. sea una democracia fuerte y estable.” Hay una cultura basada en el miedo, bajo la falsa premisa, de que cada inmigrante en los Estados Unidos puede traer a cada pariente de sangre a los Estados Unidos, lo cual es completamente falso. Hay un proceso de solicitud muy estricto y la documentación requerida que se debe presentar para iniciar el proceso de inmigración  puede tomar hasta veinte años para que el proceso final llegue a buen término. Bajo el actual sistema de inmigración de los EE. UU., no todos los parientes pueden ser patrocinados por una tarjeta verde o de residencia. Por ejemplo, tíos, tías, primos y abuelos no son elegibles para tarjetas verdes a través de la inmigración patrocinada por la familia. Solo los padres, cónyuges, hijos y hermanos de los ciudadanos estadounidenses y los cónyuges e hijos de los titulares de la tarjeta verde (residentes permanentes legales) son elegibles. Segundo, de esos miembros de la familia, solo los cónyuges, los hijos solteros menores de 21 años y los padres de ciudadanos estadounidenses pueden ser patrocinados por una tarjeta verde sin estar sujetos a ninguna cuota. Todos los demás solicitantes están sujetos a ciertos topes numéricos anuales. El proyecto de reforma migratoria integral aprobado por el Senado el año pasado restringe aún más la inmigración patrocinada por la familia al eliminar la capacidad de los ciudadanos estadounidenses de patrocinar a sus hermanos e hijos mayores de 30 años. Además, establece un sistema de puntos, basado en el mérito, que intenta que los inmigrantes puedan acumular puntos por dominio del idioma inglés, educación y habilidades, para obtener una tarjeta verde. El Embajador Brewster manifiesta: “Los dominicanos deberían saber tan bien, como todos los demás en todo el mundo, que la retórica sobre el tema migratorio que proviene de la Casa Blanca no está en línea con los valores de la mayoría de los estadounidenses. Todos los países deberían ser sociedades inclusivas, no exclusivas, Sr. Trump.” Si estas medidas se convierten en leyes de los EEUU, continuarán restringiendo la oportunidad de los que aspiran a emigrar.

“Es la diversidad y la inclusión de nuestra sociedad y todas las sociedades lo que fortalece a nuestros países. Trump está equivocado y no representa los valores de la mayoría de los estadounidenses. La reunificación familiar siempre ha sido, y debe seguir siendo, una piedra angular de nuestro sistema de inmigración. Pero cómo definimos ‘familia’ es igualmente importante,” dijo el Embajador Brewster. Necesitamos seguir promoviendo la idea de lo que es ser un “Dreamer”, no solo para los inmigrantes sino también para los estadounidenses en vez de tener miedo a la inclusion.