Back in 2023, New York City was grappling with a crisis stemming from illegal immigration.
The influx of people came from southern states bordering Mexico, leading to a surge of arrivals. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, noting that New York had labeled itself a “sanctuary city,” felt it was up to New York to handle the situation.
Texas, understandably, wanted to minimize the number of undocumented immigrants in its borders.
If New York portrays itself as a progressive haven, perhaps it should also take responsibility for these new residents.
It soon became apparent to lawmakers that there was a stark contrast between their ideals and the reality of the situation.
Top officials couldn’t ignore the challenges when hundreds of thousands of immigrants began pouring into the city, leading to the occupation of entire hotels to provide shelter for them.
Former Mayor Eric Adams even remarked that the immigration crisis was on the verge of “destroying New York.”
Amidst this chaos, several far-fetched suggestions surfaced regarding how the city should respond.
One idea, which was quickly abandoned, involved urging New Yorkers to open their homes to immigrants, creating a sort of grassroots housing initiative.
What could possibly go wrong with that?
New themes resonate
By coincidence, I recently picked up a compelling novel by Lionel Shriver titled “A Better Life.” It explores what might have transpired had that housing plan been implemented.
In Shriver’s “Schreiber,” notably “We Have to Talk About Kevin,” the protagonist is a liberal divorcee in her sixties living with her much younger son in an affluent New York neighborhood.
When the city rolls out its “Big Apple, Big Heart” initiative, Gloria Bonaventura is eager to participate.
She ends up adopting a young woman from Honduras named Martine Salgado, and the story progresses from there.
Our well-meaning heroine thinks that by welcoming Hondurans, she is making a positive impact.
However, her son starts to feel out of place in his own home, and Martine has her own perspective about America.
“America is not just for Americans,” she declares.
“America for All.”
Eventually, Martine is joined by someone who claims to be her brother, and soon they start inviting friends over.
I won’t reveal the entire story, but Shriver is such a talented author that while you can see potential outcomes, the journey to get there is unpredictable.
And it’s not always pretty.
The questions raised in this novel reflect the ongoing national dialogue. Is the hardworking but undocumented Martine a “better American” than Gloria’s overeducated yet unmotivated son? Who truly deserves to reside in America? Is it even feasible for America to be a sanctuary for everyone wishing to immigrate?
This topic becomes even more relevant this week with Tom Homan announcing a decrease in ICE operations in Minnesota.
In recent weeks, we’ve witnessed many of the issues Shriver’s novel grapples with play out in real life.
On one hand, America has a rich history of welcoming immigrants. Yet, Americans also value fairness.
They understand there’s a distinction between those who violate laws and those who abide by them.
Or at least, they used to.
The evolving narrative
The radical left’s opposition to ICE operations has blurred this distinction, erasing clear lines between legal and illegal immigration.
It’s significant to recognize that trying to dismantle existing laws is no small feat.
Encouraging citizens to intervene against ICE and halt the deportation of serious offenders is another complicating factor.
Since when has the freedom of Americans hinged on allowing a convicted rapist who is undocumented to remain free from legal action?
That seems like a precarious position to take.
Yet, some, like the fictional Gloria, might find it worth fighting for.
So, how do we navigate this situation?
One vital step is to acknowledge a crucial reality. Keeping borders open, as the Biden administration has done, fosters law-breaking.
This creates significant challenges for any future administration.
The previous president’s tenure caused many issues, yet supporters of that administration are now criticizing attempts to resolve these problems.
Why shouldn’t there be more scrutiny on those who initiated the chaos rather than those attempting to clean it up?
Why shouldn’t the people responsible for the surge of illegal immigration face peaceful protests from those concerned about the country’s future?
As midterm elections loom, polls suggest that the Republican Party could face setbacks due to President Trump’s promised resurgence.
Honor the law
The foundational answer is simple: it’s about following the law.
Immigrating legally to this country is tremendously complex.
And maybe it should be that way.
However, rewarding those who disregard the rules undermines the efforts of those who respect them and do things the right way.
Anyone genuinely interested in justice should mull over this.
And remember, while it’s essential to have a big heart, it’s equally important to look out for oneself.
