B Stands for Book

Good afternoon,

Earlier this month Ali Noorani, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum released his book; Crossing Borders: The Reconciliation of A Nation of Immigrants. The book explores the rise of the Tea Party in 2010 and the explosion of the 2013-2015 Syria refugee crisis that set the stage for the coils of razor wire stretching along borders in many parts of the world, from Eastern Europe to Calais, France, to the U.S.-Mexico border. 

The book argues that movement of people from the global South to the North has intensified the struggle between liberal democracies and autocrats around the world. Social and political divisions were exploited, and tides of fear and hate dominated public debates. Meanwhile, millions of displaced humans crossed borders seeking freedom, safety, and security only to face sharp wires and cruel policies.

Noorani’s book investigates those politics and policies of immigration across communities inside and outside the United States. It sheds light on efforts to weaponize global migration, the rise of nationalism and white supremacy and the cruel treatment of refugees and immigrants at borders around the world. This book highlights the need to reform our outdated immigration system. The best way to invest in our country’s future prosperity is to pass immigration reform and create a fair system that treats every immigrant and refugee with dignity and respect. 

The United States is one of the wealthiest and most powerful nations on earth. There is no good reason why it shouldn’t have a functioning immigration system that strengthens our communities, economy and national security. Nearly eight in ten Americans want Republicans and Democrats in Congress to work together to pass meaningful immigration reforms. 

The values of charity are rooted in the American spirit and drive us to help vulnerable Afghans, Syrians, Ukrainians and others. An Afghan Adjustment Act would provide stability to our Afghan allies and a path to permanent legal status. Bipartisan bridges may be difficult to build but Americans depend on Dreamers, farmworkers, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients who are in desperate need for solutions. 

Noorani’s book lays out paths that can lead to the reconciliation of our nation of immigrants. Crossing Borders finds hope for the future of immigration policy in rural America where challenges of demographic and cultural change are brewing.  

Let’s fix America’s broken immigration system. Mayors, police chiefs, educators, business, national security, and faith leaders are coming together to restore the dignity of immigrants and our nation. I hope you’ll continue to partner with the National Immigration Forum in pushing for compassionate and strategic immigration policies that benefit us all and end the tides of fear and hate. 

Stay healthy and hopeful, 

Oula

NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:

CBS NEWS: Ukrainians who fled Russian invasion struggle to reunite with family in the U.S.  

BLOOMBERG LAW: Narrow Immigration Fixes Sought by Employers, Religious Groups 

WASHINGTON POST: Thousands of Afghans were evacuated to the U.S. Will America let them stay? 

ROLL CALL: Competition bill could carry high-skilled immigration changes