Many political issues are divisive. This is understandable. Putting aside bad actors, we also have many fundamental disagreements about how society should be ordered, the proper role of government, and what impacts will stem from government policy. 

One of the most divisive issues in recent years has been immigration. My ideas about the current state of debate are complicated, but I ultimately conclude our policies should be liberalized to allow much more immigration and to make it an easier process. Many of my fellow Americans disagree and that’s legitimate even though I ultimately believe my position to be both moral and beneficial to the United States. We need to have a serious, good-faith discussion about immigration policy as a country. A crucial part of the decision must be based on history and economics. The constitution does not opine on the proper levels of immigration. This is one of the few issues that is essentially entirely left up to the democratic process. 

In the past, this unfortunately led to horrible immigration policies such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, the “gentlemen’s agreement” between the United States and Japan, and the first general immigration legislation in US history, The Immigration Act of 1924. Unfortunately, all three of these policies were based heavily on race and exclusion of “undesirable” groups. Fortunately, we have reformed our system substantially from that stage, and even though many problems and iniquities remain, our immigration policy is no longer based on race. We have taken important, valuable, and equitable steps forward as a nation on immigration. 

Unfortunately, we now face a situation that again demands our moral judgment. It is not a crossroads—it will not determine future policy and it can be corrected at any time—but it is nonetheless a crisis which we must provide an answer to.

I speak of the acceptance of refugees from corrupt and authoritarian nations. Most particularly in this moment—Cuba and Afghanistan. 

The US military withdrawal from Afghanistan left those Afghanis who worked with us in an awkward and outright dangerous situation. Many have already been murdered by the Taliban for working with our nation and there is no sign this will stop. In fact, the positions of those who aided us, women, religious minorities, and disfavored ethnic groups will almost certainly get worse under the Taliban as it was before the US invasion. The Taliban is not a moral equivalent to the US. It is no mere government. It does not find itself bound by liberalism. It will institute an oppressive, patriarchal theocracy which will undoubtedly cost many lives and dramatically limit the rights and flourishing of many Afghanis. The US should immediately grant asylum and lawful permanent resident status to any Afghan citizen who wants to take advantage. We should even provide transport out of the country. 

In Cuba, we see unprecedented protests against the oppressive government. Since the communist revolution led by Fidel Castro, Cuba has been an authoritarian, unjust, and unequal nation which punished political dissidents, disfavored groups, and any others the government disfavored. It has not enjoyed the same increase in standard of living much of the rest of the world has seen. The passing of first Fidel and then Raul Castro did not improve the situation. Millions of Cubans and their children live in exile in the United States and other western nations after fleeing their repressive government. Unfortunately, millions more remain oppressed and controlled on the beautiful Caribbean island. 

These latest protests draw attention to this fact and demand change. The protestors have shown extreme courage and a strong sense of justice. Like the protestors in Hong Kong, they wave American flags as a symbol of freedom they demand at home. American involvement is not guaranteed to improve the situation and previous US involvement in Cuba had many unforeseen consequences for both America and the Cuban people. We should think long and hard before directly involving ourselves. What should not take much thought is supporting the Cuban people in other ways. First, the US government should forcefully announce that Americans support the protestors, oppose government oppression, and will welcome any refugees or dissidents from Cuba who wish to receive asylum and permanent-resident status. 

Cuban refugees and their children have already been enormously valuable to this nation. They have proven themselves patriotic, valuable members of the community who contribute economically, morally, and politically. We are lucky to have them, and it is absolutely Cuba’s loss they were run out of the country. Any Cuban who values freedom and wants to build a life for themselves should be welcomed here

Throughout its history, and despite its very serious flaws, America has stood as a symbol of freedom, liberty, and opportunity. This has been employed historically for particularly oppressed people. The principles of the Declaration of Independence demand we be the friends of oppressed people everywhere and accept them if they wish. America is not an ethnic group. It is not a language group. It is not a historical population. America is a collection of diverse people who represent every ethnic group, religion, language, and nation on earth and are united by ideals rather than a shared history or ethnic origin. America is special. Immigrants are a huge part of what makes it special. Immigrants who support freedom and want to contribute are the absolute bedrock of America’s success and should be welcomed. 

I can think of no better examples at this moment than the Cubans and Afghanis who oppose repression. Open the doors. Bring them in. Make them American. 

Patria y Vida