Local leaders say facts must override fears of immigration

With immigration raids ramping up across the country, those working with the migrant population in St. Joseph are expressing concerns about possible civil rights violations.

The concerns are being echoed by local community leaders like Maria Ramirez, who emigrated from Venezuela legally under an asylum visa about 16 years ago. She met and married her husband, an American citizen, and has since become a successful businesswoman in the community. She also serves as an advocate in the Latino community.

“There is a lot of fear in the community,” Ramirez said. “Beyond the fear of new and perspective immigrants themselves, there is a fear that if the many immigrants who are part of the infrastructure of St. Joseph will leave if they do not feel welcome.”

She added that this could have serious economic ramifications on the community, and that fears stem both from perceptions and current realities.

“Many Spanish-speaking people have the perception these days that Americans hate migrants,” Ramirez said. “This is not true, and I want to be among those who remind them of that while bringing people together to have the opportunity to ask questions.”

Almost immediately after being sworn in, President Donald Trump signed an executive order eliminating birthright citizenship, alleging that illegal immigrants are not protected by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. In Missouri, Governor Mike Kehoe signed executive orders that included appointing a new state task force to be trained in federal immigration enforcement and to work more closely with the federal government in the pursuit of those in the country without proper authorization.

Ramirez, trained as a journalist, said her concern and those of many who are seeking a new start in the U.S. are that they will be unfairly targeted or rejected outright without due consideration. After she came to the U.S. under a visa of asylum due to violence against journalists and others in Venezuela, the process of gaining legal work status started right away. It was expensive and took more than two years.

“When you leave your country to seek asylum, you must demonstrate in detail that your life is in danger, and you have to acquire attorneys, which becomes very expensive,” Ramirez said. “I got a journalist job in San Francisco, where I met my husband, who was from St. Joseph. That is how I eventually ended up here.”

In recent years, the process has become more difficult, even before recent executive orders issued by Trump. One order has revoked current asylum seekers from traveling to the U.S. at all, even after going through initial security checks and meetings. For those already here legally, though, fear and suspicion continue.

“Even under the previous administration, changing your immigration status could take years — even longer than my process took 16 years ago,” Ramirez said. “Now, those who are currently in this long process are worried that even more changes will take place, which will either delay or do away with the years and money they have already invested in the process.”

Groups like the Interfaith Alliance for Immigrants have been advocating for migrants for more than a decade in St. Joseph. Its members said no one wants criminals to remain in the United States. However, they are concerned those who are either early or later in the process of legally immigrating, including people awaiting the granting of asylum for their safety, will be left by the wayside under the guise of “clamping down” on immigration.

Adult educator and longtime St. Joseph resident Nancy Clisbee of the Interfaith Alliance said the concerns for stability and safety trickle down to the young children of immigrants, many of whom have expressed to her fears that they will come home and one of their parents will be taken away. She added that part of the two-pronged approach to education the Interfaith Alliance takes involves not only calming the fears of citizens regarding immigrants but also educating them — including those who are newly legalized — about protecting themselves.

“Those folks should carry clear identification,” Clisbee said. “They should also carry a picture of their naturalization certificate or other related documents on their phone so that they are able to prove who they are.”

Another member of the Interfaith Alliance, Sidney Breese, a retired pastor, said he believes the fears are stoked by what he calls a “demographic turning point” in America, where, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030, immigration will become the main driver of U.S. population growth. The analysis points to declining U.S. birthrates and a rise in immigration. Breese also pointed to data verified by the National Institute of Justice that says, per capita, crimes are more likely to be committed by those who are natural-born citizens than immigrants.

“Counselors, teachers and advocates are constantly seeking to address misinformation coming from many directions, including political leaders,” Breese said.

Ramirez hopes that the ongoing partnership between educators, nonprofits, law enforcement and advocacy organizations can bring more clarity and less fear to new conversations about immigration and those who are a part of the workforce and the everyday lives of St. Joseph and surrounding areas. She said that no one, especially those in the immigrant community, wants criminal behavior to be tolerated, since they are among the most vulnerable to criminal behavior.

“Fears and lies can be destructive,” Ramirez said. “We must be critical thinkers and show up and protect our democracy. Knowing your neighbors is important. Migrants here should be informed and also show up in a way that connects with the community.”

She added, “We are not here to think anything away. We are here to give back.”