Do something: this is about paying our blessings forward

The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 19:34 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Over this weekend of Thanksgiving -- our holiday of gratitude for good fortune -- I received urgent appeals from three organizations that I think we can take as representing offspring of the Abrahamic family tree (though I'm sure each would insist on the non-sectarian character of their public services.) CAIR-Bay Area, Jewish Community and Family Services-East Bay, and Faith in Action-Bay Area weren't asking for money (though I am sure any and all of them can use a little cash.)

They were asking me to utilize the privilege and obligation of citizenship to oppose a new policy of further cruelty toward immigrants. Our white nationalist rulers cannot implement their latest moral outrage without soliciting public comments. We are urged to make those comments, even if we doubt they'll do any good.

FiF-BA explained succinctly what the administration is up to:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently issued a proposed rule changing the definition of what it means to be a “public charge.” Under the proposed rewrite of “public charge,” DHS could deny a green card or even initiate deportation for anyone “who is likely at any time to use or receive one or more public benefits.”  This proposal would otherize green card applicants and their dependents. It doesn’t just include a laundry list of new possible benefits received (from Medicaid, SNAP, nutrition assistance, and Housing benefits) but even includes benefits applied for. 

An expanded unnecessary change in the public charge definition means that many immigrant families will be forced to choose between using essential public assistance needed to keep their family healthy, or the opportunity to receive or maintain their legal immigration status.  Many immigrants are already unenrolling from vitally needed services out of fear of this proposed rule.  This change in public charge could affect 20 million people.

Get it? This definition change is something the administration wants to do to immiserate and impoverish people who did "play by the rules" and are within the process for establishing legal residency in this country. This isn't about scoff laws -- it is about criminalizing daily life for all immigrants.

CAIR-BA draws out the implications of what our rulers want to do:

This policy places an undue burden on the working-class immigrants that form the backbone of our economy and puts the wealthy at the front of the line. In doing so, it constitutes a complete abandonment of the "American Dream," the fundamental premise of which holds that the United States is a place for those seeking a better life, not just those already living one.

This Muslim community responding to ongoing attacks has a clearer grasp of the aspirations that are the only excuse for this country than so many of us who might think of ourselves as "real Americans.

All these agencies provide links to sites that allow citizens to write short comments expressing their horror at this attempt to increase the insecurity of the some of the most stressed people among us. I found this site the most accessible. JCFS-EB offered sensible advice about writing your comment:

Your comment does not have to be technical; it can simply express your own concern for the health and well-being of our country’s immigrants.

Here's what I wrote:

The proposed regulation expanding the definition of "public charge" creates barriers for legal residents and their citizen children who are seeking to better themselves and this country. Legal immigrants pay taxes; they should not be excluded from benefits like healthy food and secure housing. This move screams of racial bigotry; the future of this country depends on our moving away from racial entitlements and toward broad equality of opportunity.

Your comment doesn't have to be brilliant. We just all need to weigh in. This isn't sexy like going off to campaign for Democrats in Congress (yeah team!) but these struggles must be part of what #resistance looks like over the next two years.

Comments are due by December 10, but do it today.

Sign encountered while Walking San Francisco.