Liebeskind: We need a ‘crystal clear’ immigration policy

Yes, “I see” is the beginning of the song, “What a Wonderful World,” by Louis Armstrong; however, I do see changes on the American landscape the next number of years, as President-elect Donald Trump stated during his recent campaign. Only now may these policies become reality.

After Jan. 20, 2025, this nation will become — as it did in 1920 after World War I and as it tried to do after Dwight Eisenhower was elected in 1952 — an isolationist nation.

Like his first term, President-elect Trump will basically withdraw, as much as possible, financial, military and political support from a majority of organizations that we — the U.S. — have treaties with, such as NATO, the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization and others. He believes that we are the foundations holding these groups up and together, with virtually no assistance from member nations.

Picture a fence or a wall being built on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts; all along the California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas borders with Mexico; around the southern tip of Florida; and along the northern states between the U.S. and Canada.

This will be the Trump administration’s effort for the worldwide halt of immigration into the U.S., all the while saying to these nations, “We do not want to know of your problems. We only wish to solve our own. Leave us alone.”

Were we, at one time, a nation of immigrants?

Is there a difference between those who came to the U.S. in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and those trying to enter the U.S. today?

Was barbed wire erected around Ellis Island, prohibiting those wishing to start a new chapter in their lives?

Closing our doors and locking our gates to prevent those looking to the U.S. as that beacon of hope should not be presented with hostility.

What we do need is a reasonable, crystal clear, understandable, “sound” immigration policy.

Maybe, without interference from President-elect Trump, we can enact the immigration legislation that was proposed by Congress earlier this year.

Blocking those individuals who wish to enter this nation legally is not the answer to solving our immigration problem.

Some type of written, spelled-out policy guideline is certainly better than none at all.

Al Liebeskind

Millsboro

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