As Jews in America, our history and culture are deeply rooted in the immigrant experience. Central to Jewish teaching is the principle that we should “welcome the stranger.” As stated in Exodus-Mishpatim, “you shall not mistreat a stranger, nor shall you oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” 

To honor our heritage and our values we must acknowledge the important contribution that immigrants make to our country and recognize that current U.S. immigration policy does neither. For that reason, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) recently adopted a resolution that urges comprehensive immigration reform.   

For the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, the JCRC resolution supports a path to eventual citizenship. 

Undocumented immigrants should register with the government, pass background and security checks, and comply with federal and state laws (including paying taxes) while moving along a secure path to becoming U.S. citizens. Failing to adopt this kind of humane and compassionate approach forces millions of good people who wish to become citizens to live in fear or leave the country. 

JCRC believes that we should create more opportunities for foreign students educated in the United States to stay here after graduation.  In addition, more visas should be made available for foreign-born high technology and other skilled workers to come to our country. We should welcome these people, who make incalculable contributions to our economy and enrich our culture, and enable them to live here legally. 

The current immigration system is forcing native born children into foster care when one of both parents are deported. Currently about 100,000 parents of U.S. citizen children are deported each year. Those children are either deported with their parents, left with family and friends, or sent to foster care.  There are 5,100 of these children in the U.S. child welfare system. Children of undocumented immigrants have limited access to higher education, health services, and economic opportunity.  Our failure to protect and promote the fundamental rights of children and families is not consistent with Jewish or American values.

The JCRC recognizes that the U.S. must secure its borders and must take steps to exclude those who engage in criminal and terrorist activity.  At the same time, there is no  legitimate reason that our difficult and sustained work to secure the nation’s borders and catch criminals should stand in the way of taking the compassionate steps needed to accept and acknowledge those immigrants living peacefully and productively among us.    

Our forebears came through Ellis Island and other ports of entry, seeking refuge from the pogroms in Europe, seeking safety far away from the murderous fascism of Nazi Germany or simply hoping to improve and enrich their lives in this great country.  The U.S. was founded by people who came in search of religious and political freedom and economic opportunity.  Let’s not forget that they were all immigrants.

JCRC also encourages members of the Saint Louis Jewish community to find out more about an exciting new initiative aimed at welcoming new immigrants to our region.   The St. Louis Mosaic Project, launched earlier this year,   is an ambitious plan for the St. Louis region to have the fastest growing immigrant population of any US metropolitan region by 2020, leading to new business development, regional economic growth and an expanding global profile for the St. Louis metropolitan area.  To find out more about the project and how you can help,  go to  www.stlmosaicproject.org.