Why Are They Leaving? 

Immigration is an issue with a unique American twist because we are, for the most part, a nation of immigrants. As Bill Murray said in the movie Stripes, “We’re Americans! And you know what that means? It means our forefathers were kicked out of every decent country in the world.” In the current debate, though, there is one question that seems to be overlooked. Before asking what to do with those who want to come to America, it may be helpful to ask why they are seeking to leave their homeland in the first place. And what can we do about that?  

Let’s leave aside those coming for criminal purposes. We shouldn’t allow in drug dealers, human traffickers, terrorists, gangsters, etc. But what of the many others who come here honorably, seeking a better life for themselves and their children, as our ancestors did? We hear so much about whether we should let them in (a fair question) and very little about why they are seeking to get out. 

Here’s the way I look at it. If my neighbor’s kids keep coming over to my house, often hungry, seeming fearful, not wanting to have to go back home, after a certain number of times I would ask myself why they don’t want to be in their home. I may even have to confront their parents if I suspect something is wrong. And what I’m wondering is: why isn’t there any scrutiny about the countries these people are seeking to flee? Why isn’t pressure put on them to change—to be a homeland where people want to stay? There is much I criticize about America, especially living in a Maryland suburb of D.C.; but it would take much to make me leave this country for another, if I ever would.  

So, again, why are they leaving? “There’s a better life in America.” That usually means more economic opportunity, greater freedom, or more security. Fine. That’s a great compliment and, as an American, I welcome it. But I guess I’m wondering why all the criticism is on us for not letting them in rather than on the other countries for not doing enough to keep them at home? 

The countries these people are coming from do not lack natural resources. The people do not lack talent or brains or industriousness. Their struggles to get here and their often-heroic stories once they get here prove that. I can only conclude that it is the political and economic systems in those countries that compel people to flee. Those systems, in turn, are largely a product of muddle-headed liberal thinking, and that perhaps explains why there is so little attention paid to it. 

If we just look at the countries south of us, most have socialist (bordering on communist) economies. The governments are corrupt, often in the pay of mafias. Drug cartels often have their own fiefdoms in these countries. I understand why people want to flee that, and to that extent I’m willing to welcome them. But again I ask, why aren’t those who are so vociferous about us taking care of them here equally as urgent about getting those countries to clean up their own act so people want to stay there? Shouldn’t we be as concerned about our neighbor’s home being safe so he doesn’t have to leave as we are about letting him into our home?  Shouldn’t we be as concerned about our neighbor’s home being safe so he doesn’t have to leave as we are about letting him into our home? Tweet This

The answer from the Left is usually couched in terms of “historical conditions due to Western imperialism,” which is academic speak for “that is just the way they are.” Nonsense. There is no reason why those countries cannot be wonderful places for people to live; no reason except the cultural and economic policies pushed by liberals and anti-religious ideologies. Those forces created and are responsible for the conditions compelling people to seek a better life. Of course, liberals won’t admit that, no more than liberals fleeing blue states for red states will admit they are leaving to escape the high taxes and crime their own voting has engendered in their home states.    

These countries have histories and cultures different from each other, and often vastly different from the United States, and it is a mistake to think they should all be “little Americas.” They shouldn’t be, nor should they want to be. But they have plenty of resources to be their own peaceful, thriving countries where people would want to live.   

What should the United States do? Where is the line between disapproving of how another nation is governed (if it is governed) and doing something about it? That’s tricky. I’m not for “nation building.” We’ve had enough of that, and it is imperialism to try to create “little Americas” in places that are not suited for it. Would it be out of place, though, to tell some of those countries to “heal thyself” or some bombs may find their way into the vast areas used for drug manufacturing or the homes of the drug lords? (And Trump strikes me as just the sort of guy who would do it.) 

We could stop all “aid” that tears apart the family, the lifeblood of a nation. End the contraception, the abortifacients, the outright abortion providing, and “gender ideology.” Fortunately, some work seems to be on the move here. We could penalize companies in the United States that profit by providing such cultural-destroying practices to those countries. 

Many colleges and universities lionized Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and the Ortegas not too long ago (and still do). Can we tell them to stop that nonsense and look at what those thugs have done? (And J.D. Vance strikes me as just the sort of guy who would do that most eloquently.)

The Church, too, should scrutinize herself very carefully. In many Central and South American countries, “liberation theology” has played a large role in this mess; and it has been anything but liberating, instead creating regimes that have been oppressive and dysfunctional (e.g., Nicaragua). Many Church leaders, though, continue to accept and promote this “theology,” and then they criticize the United States for not doing enough to deal with the results. That’s like taking a buddy out drinking and then faulting his wife for not being understanding when he comes home drunk and beats the kids.   

The Holy Family is often cited, and fair enough, as an example of refugees when they fled to Egypt. But there are a couple catches to this logic. One, there is no indication that when they went to Egypt they were doing anything illegal or unjust. If Church leaders want to criticize what President Trump is doing by enforcing the law, that’s fine, but first show me why and how the law is unjust. It may be; I’m not a theologian. But if it is, then change it. Until then, don’t criticize the executive for enforcing it. 

The second catch is that the Holy Family went back when things were safe. They wanted to be in their homeland. Those criticizing the United States should be spending just as much effort making homelands safe so people wouldn’t want to flee. I agree we shouldn’t turn away those in need, but let’s be just as concerned as to why they have that need in the first place.