Immigrant caravan: What are they searching for?

November 3, 2018

It seems like lately everyone has an opinion about whether it is ok for the immigrants in the caravan to come to the United States to seek asylum. As an ESL teacher, I think that I have a unique perspective. I see these people in a different light because they are not "those immigrants;" they are not "those people;" they are not "those lawbreakers." They ARE my students; they ARE my neighbors; they are individuals; they ARE human beings. When my students tell me, "If I go back home, they will kill me," how could I help but to feel for these young people who have become such a part of my life. When I know that the unrest back home is so real, how could I turn my back on these voices crying out for help, shelter, safety, freedom. If you have read this far, before you decide that these people aren't worth it, please watch the movie "Innocent Voices" and then tell me that the violence is not real, that these people in the caravan aren't trying to escape the violence. Most of our ancestors came here as immigrants at some point: one side of my family around the time of the Mayflower and the other side around the 1900's. I know that there are many people out there who would like to forget that part of our history, but don't these people who are on their way deserve a chance to have their story heard; a chance to live without looking over their shoulders in fear; a chance at life and freedom like our ancestors found here in the 'new world.'