Ohioans want solutions on immigration, not political theater • Ohio Capital Journal

Earlier this month, I became frustrated with MPs when an immigration bill that was supposed to deal with borders, asylum and certainty for resettled Afghan allies was not tabled. Political theater and fundraising seem preferable to governing and passing the necessary laws.

In Ohio, I feel that the political attitude toward immigration and the desire to solve immigration problems has weakened considerably. Ohioans welcome strangers and seek to create their own solutions. That’s beautiful.

Here are just a few examples. A few weeks ago, a pastor told me that business leaders in Holmes County wanted to talk about immigration and workforce development. Later that week, I met with Hispanic American pastors who welcome and care for newly arrived asylum seekers in Cleveland. Leaders of the Ohio National Guard stationed at the border expressed nuanced views on caring for asylum seekers and concerns about why Congress isn’t working on a solution.

In further developing my faith in my neighbor, I saw a Christian business leader leave a conference to welcome a new group of Congolese refugees arriving in Columbus. I also received a call from an evangelical pastor in Lima who told me that his church was filled with new asylum seekers and that he wanted to help find legal services for them. I did. They launched a second service in Spanish. He excitedly told me that his children love it so much that they call it “Spanish Church.”

While these communities see immigrants as good additions to their cities, there are some challenges that we, local and national leaders, need to address constructively.

In contrast, my inbox is flooded with headlines and electronic messages from Ohio’s elected officials that use dehumanizing rhetoric and mislead us about who is capable of updating our immigration system. It’s full of emails.

People fleeing war and crumbling countries are seeking safety and a better life, and they do not threaten us as some believe. Many in power are afraid to use lies and gain political advantage instead of cooperating. The difference between everyday Ohioans and elected officials is stark.

The rejection of the border and immigration bill was infuriating. Because Republicans and Democrats have put hours of honest effort into it. And because it was far more stringent than any border bill proposed in recent years. Now there is no solution.

To my representatives and all elected officials, I ask: do good. Let’s stop dehumanizing rhetoric and recognize the inherent dignity of people. Recognize the scope of the problem you need to solve and avoid using lazy talking points. Please help us come up with a balanced solution.

Take notes from voters. Don’t sow division and fear. Ohioans demonstrate the best of American spirit by coming together to solve problems, be welcoming and be creative.

Immigration is a federal government responsibility. It is not the state’s job to decide who enters the country. Our broken immigration system is largely due to decades of Congressional inaction.Recently, Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joined other Republican governors in Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s actions on immigration. was approved using the argument of “self-defense.”

I voted for DeWine and am disappointed in this decision. I hope he and other governors use their strength and creativity to propose immigration solutions that prioritize compassion along with order and safety. Narratives of fear and “invasion” do nothing to solve our challenges.

For example, Mr. Dewyne has used his political capital to persuade President Joe Biden and Congress to improve access to visas instead of seeking asylum at the border and to improve the stalled refugee resettlement pipeline. We address human suffering by increasing resources for improvement and collaborating with partners around the world.

Our world is facing a displacement crisis unlike any seen since World War II. The focus of leaders needs to be on addressing the causes of historically high levels of immigration and finding other solutions, rather than mongering fear for political gain.

It’s been nearly 40 years since Congress passed significant immigration reform, but Congress remains stalled. Rather than providing legal immigration pathways to help meet our workforce and demographic needs, we are getting razor wire and other ineffective deterrent-only measures.

“[N]No matter how many coils you stack, no matter how many spares you have, the result is always the same,” Getty photographer John Moore said recently. “People overcome. They have come far. They always succeed, without exception.”

We need solutions instead of political theater. Recent polls show Americans want bipartisan cooperation and immigration solutions.

Evangelical Immigration Table and Lifeway recently released a survey showing that 78% of evangelicals want to strengthen border security and establish a process for people currently in the U.S. illegally to gain legal status. He responded that he supports amending immigration laws.

Most evangelicals, like me, believe we have a moral responsibility to embrace refugees and people fleeing persecution. The time has come for Congress to pass immigration reform that addresses current challenges with border security and immigration.

Here in Ohio and elsewhere, Americans are already leaning toward and welcoming solutions. Congress should do the same.