This issue has a face

feeling stuck in no-mans-land

“feeling stuck in no-mans-land’

Which side of the fence?

There are few issues which divide our nation like illegal immigration.

Largely ignored by the public, the media and the government, for decades it has grown into a tangle of issues, but we call it one.

Taxes, labor, social security, race, border security, the sluggish pace of bureaucracy or dysfunction in immigration and naturalization are all pieces of the problem.

The only fix is to dissect the problem.

Each part of the issue has its own inherent set of problems. There seems to be no united response. Border control will step up patrols, build a fence, build a wall, but the influx of illegal immigrants is only a symptom of flawed policy both inside our own borders and with other countries.

The immigration issue is a quilt of many smaller parts, much like the varied fabric of our country’s ethnic heritage.

One thing holds true: we are all children of immigrants. No person can truly claim their ancestors have lived in one place since the beginning of time.

The immigration issue has been called many things from a lack of plan, to lack of security, to lack of funding, but it should not be a lack of compassion.

What we need to remember is that this issue has many faces as well as facets. This is an issue about how to deal with human beings wishing nothing more than a chance at a better life.

On Page 5 of this edition of The Chart, Missouri State Senator Gary Nodler (R-Joplin) talks about some legislation in the General Assembly. On Page 9, Chart reporters Becky Husky and Jarrod Griswold explore the issue further.

We hope this is a first step towards our University community thinking about and discussing the issue of illegal immigration. We encourage you to write letters to the editor, write your lawmakers and explore candidates’ stances on this issue.

The situation calls for a comprehensive resolution. To patch a problem this large will require many smaller steps. Excluding individuals from public services will not solve the issue, nor will deportation.

Creating a legal and efficient way for immigrants to work and live in the United States might be a good first step.