Donald Trump will soon be our president – my president – again. It is not the outcome I wanted, but it is what many other citizens do want. I accept this. If we must implement Trump’s vision, let’s do so in ways that respect our shared immigrant history and the promise of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” for all.

Migrants from across our planet made America great. Their skills, labors, cultures, arts, foods, etc., enriched our communities, built our infrastructures and expanded our economies. Their contributions deserve our respect.

The lines that define “legal” from “illegal” are thin. These lines cut through individual families, schools, businesses, places of worship, towns and more. Illegal migrants are not criminals in the sense of thieves and killers. They bypassed legal means of entry for many reasons, often to escape oppression and discrimination on their home soils. They are our neighbors and co-workers now.

If we must separate and deport these neighbors, let’s do so with respect and genuine human care. Let’s not treat them as we did Japanese Americans in the 1940s. Let’s be honest about their real contributions to American greatness and build pathways for as many as possible to cross the line into legal status. Their “pursuit of happiness” is ours too. Their mass expulsion can only detract from our shared liberties in time.

Tom Meuser
Portland