Opinion

At the entrance of New York harbor stands the Statue of Liberty. The plaque at the base reads: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

In Matthew 25:30, Jesus says, “Whatever you do for the least of these my brothers and sisters you do for me”.

What do these two quotes written centuries and continents apart have to do with each other? A lot! In the first, the United States is portrayed as a welcome refuge and land of opportunity for struggling immigrants. In Scripture, Jesus is reminding us that the poor and those in need are our brothers and sisters, loved by God.

If we believe that the United States is a land of opportunity, refuge and care, then we need to act upon it. I am concerned about U.S. citizens who made big mistakes but want to return whatever the penalty. I am even more concerned about undocumented people living here or waiting at the border who have done nothing wrong except come to the U.S. for a better life for themselves and their children.

We live in a democracy where citizens’ voices are heard. If you are concerned about what appears to be a hard-hearted administration, please contact Sen. Cory Gardner, Sen. Michael Bennett, Rep. Scott Tipton and the President Donald Trump.

Raymond P. Finney

Pagosa Springs