Is Immigration an American Way?

July 15, 2008 at 10:38 am

Each day that I read the latest edition of Standing Firm I am more convinced that my views on the immigration issues are 100% American. I am proud that I am not a xenophobic, not a racist, not an insensitive, calloused hate-infested bigotist.

I think of my ancestors who managed to get to this country in spite of all obstacles–often in the hold of a stinking ship–to escape torture, oppression, discrimination and the same hate-mentality that is becoming so much more prevalent in this country.

When I scan through my newest novel, THE IMMIGRANT, I sometimes wonder: where did those words come from? Then I think: they really are a reflection of my own passion for human rights.

Thank God that there are still a majority of people in this country who think the same way I do. They might stand back and not speak but, I know that in their hearts they are compassinate toward the underprivileged.

Another Raid

Raids like the New Bedford fiasco and the Annapolis Raid, that resulted in damage to family units, are a flagrant disregard for human rights … the very premise on which this country was founded. It is inexcusable.

When I wrote my most recent novel, THE IMMIGRANT, my research uncovered countless, similar examples of ruthless, insensitive measures of so-called: enforcement of our immigration laws.

I commend “Standing Firm” for their efforts to bring these inhumane practices to the public’s attention. And I am eternally grateful for the assistance and input of one of our family members, who is an attorney and is a former member of ICE. She provided immeasurable support when I was creating the manuscript for THE IMMIGRANT.

Let’s now support this worthy endeavor by "Standing Firm."

Charles Clark

Medication Error

Fourteen babies given too much blood-thinner Heparin.

Sad but true. An example of an error that can occur in any hospital. Our hearts go out to the many distraught parents of these tiny infants ... just imagine the turmoil going on in their minds. These are premature babies who are strugging for life and the least complication will sometimes tip the scales the wrong way. The death of two of the preemies, however, is likely not the result of the heparin overdose.

Fortunately, the other babies will survive thanks to the timely intervention by the the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurses and the astute Neonatologists who promptly discontinued the medication, and there is little likelihood that there will be any residual effect from this catastrophe. But the issue here is not so much the injury to the little patients, but is the occurrence of a preventable medication error in one of our community hospitals. You can be assured that a root cause analysis will be performed on this case that hopefully will serve as an educational tool for all hospitals.

There is a lesson to be learned from this sentinel event: Not only do hospitals and all other healthcare entities need to sharpen their vigilance when it comes to preventing medication errors, they need to take extreme measures to provide patient safety on all fronts.

Charles Clark 

Detention Centers of Despair

It is difficult to believe that we have thousands of immigrants held in detention centers across the United States--centers filled with inmates waiting deportation for one reason or another. Often they have been separated from their families; have left behind wives and children without means of support or security.

A recent story by an immigration attorney who flew from Illinois to Brownsville, Texas to help an immigrant is heartrending. The story told appropriately on July 4th is that of an unfortunate individual held in the Willacy County Detention Center in Raymondville, TX who was freed to return to his family by a judge after the attorney pleaded the case.

How many others are there who could be helped with similar efforst by immigration attorneys?

Immigration Reform

Regardless of the outcome of the coming debates on immigration reform, everyone needs some exposure to immigration law in order to stay abreast of this evolving chapter in our nation's history. Just browsing through the glossary of immigration terms alone can be mind boggling, but imformative at the same time. Learn the paths by which immigrants may seek entry into the United States. If you are as poorly informed as I was when I first researched data for my newest novel, THE IMMIGRANT, I think you will be impressed with the myriad categories and options that are availaable today for residents of foreign countries to attain entry into this country. I was fortunate to have had the invaluable assistance of from a family member who was a former ICE attorney when I wrote THE IMMIGRANT. For that I am eternally grateful. 

Many of us have become awestricken by the many immigrant athletes and entertainers that we view and listen to. Who are the examples? I'm sure you will recognize the few that I can name: Dirk Nowitzky, Antonio Banderas, Tony Parker, Hakeem Obajuwon, Martina Navratilova, CelineDion. The list goes on and on. We welcome them all, don't we? They perform for us, they entertain us. We're glad they are here, aren't we? Have you ever wondered by what provision in our immigration policy they get here and work here? Probably not.

What about the worker who paints your house or repairs your roof--the yard man who does your yard--the household employees in the hotel you stayed in--the restaurant worker you encounter when you go out? Probably you know about as much about them as most people: you know they come from somewhere because you can't understand their accent.

I know a restaurant chain owner in Dallas who is very active in the Restaulrant Association of Texas. He told me that 60% of restaurant workers are immigrants. He wouldn't say how many are undocumented. He developed a program for language education and offered it to his employees. The result: he has had illiterate immigrants improve themselves to the extent that they can take over a management position in his restaurant chain. What an opportunity in this country for other employers.

I guess my whole theme here is: let's get away from the "hate" mode and go into the "help our neighbors" mode. I can think of few endeavors that would be more personally rewarding than that whilch my friend in Dallas has accomplished.