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

On April 23, 2018, the U.S. government ordered the departure of all U.S. government family members from Nicaragua and authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. government personnel due to escalating crime, civil unrest, and limited access to healthcare. This was not a routine precaution—this was an evacuation. Even personnel who remained were encouraged to return to the United States, where they would continue employment but be unable to meaningfully contribute to our mission. When conditions become so dangerous that our trained diplomatic staff must leave, it is clear how dire daily life is for the people who have no option to simply board a flight to safety.

Crime and instability across Central America span multiple sectors and stem from decades of deep-seated corruption within both public institutions and private industries. These forces extend far beyond gang violence; they reflect generations of systemic dysfunction that ordinary citizens have been powerless to escape.

The United States has long intervened in Latin America—often supporting dictators who protected our commercial and military interests at the expense of their own citizens. Under these regimes, corruption flourished and the innocent paid the price. Our government contributed to the erosion of these societies and helped create environments where criminal networks could thrive. While the United States is not solely responsible for the current instability, we undeniably share a measure of accountability. Now that these nations no longer provide the strategic benefits they once did, are we prepared to turn our backs on the people whose suffering we helped create?

Donald Trump and his advisors promote a nationalist vision of America as a Christian nation. What they fail to grasp is that diplomacy does not allow do-overs. International relationships are built over decades—sometimes centuries—and when you assume the presidency, you inherit the full weight of that history. Responsible leadership requires recognizing past actions, acknowledging accountability, and building foreign policy with an understanding of how those actions continue to shape the present. Democracies do not get to erase their past. And if the United States truly embraces Christian values, we cannot abandon those who are simply trying to live another day. We cannot rip children from the arms of parents whose only “crime” is attempting to survive.

Can we open our borders to every individual seeking entry? Of course not. But we can offer compassion, protection, and practical support to those who have no other refuge. That is, after all, the foundation of Christian teachings.

These immigrants are not running to the United States to steal jobs or exploit social programs. They are running toward safety—toward hope—because we are the most powerful nation on earth and we are their closest neighbor. They have nowhere else to turn. We must revisit our foreign policy in Central America and prioritize not only financial assistance but meaningful partnership, guidance, and long-term development. A stable and prosperous Central America is not simply a humanitarian ideal—it directly benefits the United States and future generations of Americans.

In the meantime, take a moment to imagine what life is like for these families who risk everything for the smallest chance to survive. If we can approach this issue with empathy—even briefly—we may begin to find solutions that honor both our values and our responsibilities.

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!