Historically, the image of a refugee evoked empathy. These were individuals fleeing persecution, conflict, or hardship, seeking a chance to build a better life for themselves and their families. Americans once took pride in offering a haven, a place where dreams could be rekindled. The success of refugees and immigrants enriched our nation, contributing to its vibrancy and diversity.
However, in recent years, this narrative has been tragically distorted. Fear has replaced compassion, and the very concept of offering refuge has been twisted into something sinister. A concerted effort by some ultra-conservative voices has sought to conflate the terms "refugee" and "immigrant" with "terrorist," stoking anxieties and exploiting them for selfish political gain.
Watch Video Richard Gere Talks About the Definition of Refugee ...
This deliberate manipulation of language and emotion by some has had devastating consequences. It has fostered a climate of fear and suspicion, eroding the core values of compassion and inclusivity upon which America was founded. The divisive rhetoric has left deep scars on the national psyche, traumatizing communities and tearing at the fabric of society.
While in many respects, the increase in refugees and migrants coming to America and other countries throughout Europe, underscores that Democracy and the aspiration of Freedom is successfully reaching millions more people now worldwide. People throughout the world desire the FREEDOM to make your own choices and live with dignity. They seek an ability to work everyday productively at a decent job, live in safety without abuse, access affordable healthcare, clean water, nutritious food and achieve prosperity for themselves and family; this promise is the core foundation of America.
Therefore, it is incumbent on The United States leadership to work together, Bipartisan to compromise and deliver a comprehensive border and immigration plan that also finally addresses the dreamers, over 6000,000 population of U.S. DACA's path to legal citizenship.
Watch Video Richard Gere Talk About the Definition of Refugee ...
Economically, America should welcome and needs immigrants, who add tremendous creativity and innovation to our society, and in fact the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that millions of immigrants will add $7 trillion significantly boosting America's GDP in the next ten years. Note CBO Analysis 2024 ...
"In our projections, the deficit is also smaller than it was last year because economic output is greater, partly as a result of more people working. The labor force in 2033 is larger by 5.2 million people, mostly because of higher net immigration. As a result of those changes in the labor force, we estimate that, from 2023 to 2034, GDP will be greater by about $7 trillion and revenues will be greater by about $1 trillion than they would have been otherwise. We are continuing to assess the implications of immigration for revenues and spending." ... CBO / FEB 7, 2024
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Additionally, immigrants in America, both documented and undocumented, are significantly less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens. Studies have shown that they have lower incarceration rates, commit less crime and are less likely to be arrested for various offenses, including violent crimes, property crimes, and drug offenses compared to current citizens.
In fact, research suggests that immigrants are:
Immigrants 60% less crime and less likely to be incarcerated than U.S. born citizens.
Less than half as likely to be arrested for violent and drug crimes.
A quarter as likely to be arrested for property crimes.
These findings challenge the common misconception that immigrants contribute to higher crime rates. The data clearly demonstrates that immigrants are less likely to engage in criminal activity compared to the native-born population.
Further, I also found during research that increasingly climate change is driving greater refugee migrants to our country, as people seek more accessibility to clean water, safe environment, affordable healthcare, decent jobs and nutritious food. While it's difficult to get an exact number on how many people migrated solely due to climate change in 2023, the following figures can provide some context:
26.4 million: This is the number of people displaced within their own countries due to disasters in 2023, many of which are linked to climate change, such as floods, storms, and wildfires. Review Climate change and human mobility - Migration Data Portal
86 million: This is a projection for the number of internal climate migrants in Sub-Saharan Africa alone by 2050, highlighting the growing scale of the issue. Climate Migration is on the Rise Around the World | Climatebase
Watch Video on Climate Migration Accelerates ...
It's important to note that distinguishing between migration driven solely by climate change and that influenced by a combination of factors (economic, political, etc.) is complex. However, the available data indicates that millions of people are already being displaced or forced to migrate due to the impacts of climate change, and this number is likely to increase in the coming years.
We are at a tipping point now on Earth with over eight billion people, a mark calls for the world to work together, Bipartisan to aggressively pursue the reduction of pollution in our oceans, air, water and soil resources by transitioning to clean energy and sustainable lifestyle solutions. If we fail, the acceleration of migrants will continue increase over the next 40 years or more, as these people are being driven out of their communities due to climate change hazards such as flooding, drought, earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires and other environmental hardships (Migration Data Portal).
So the conflation of refugees with terrorists is not only inaccurate but also deeply harmful with many pertinent complex issues involved. It dehumanizes individuals who are already vulnerable, painting them with a broad brush of suspicion and fear. It ignores the rigorous vetting processes refugees undergo before being granted asylum and disregards the countless contributions they make to their new communities. Not to mention, the economic and climate change factors that are increasingly playing an important factor that's driving greater refugee migrants to America and Europe.
Even more alarming is the use of fear as a political weapon has a corrosive effect on democracy. It undermines rational discourse, replacing it with emotional appeals that prey on anxieties and prejudices. It creates an environment where facts are dismissed, and truth becomes a casualty. Such a cultural shift that demonizes migrants often distorts the thinking of people within our communities. This distorted narrative of refugees is a symptom of a larger problem: the deliberate attempt to divide the American people for political gain. This strategy exploits fear and resentment, pitting communities against each other and fostering a climate of mistrust. It is a cynical and dangerous approach that threatens the very foundations of our democracy and core values.
So it is imperative that we resist this divisive narrative and reclaim the values of compassion and inclusivity that have always defined America. We must reject fear-mongering and embrace a more nuanced understanding of refugees and immigrants. We must remember that welcoming those in need is not only a moral imperative but also a source of strength and renewal for our nation. And we must be mindful that climate change is real with just a short 5-year window left to solve it.
The journey to healing the wounds of division will be long and challenging. But it is a journey we must undertake if we are to preserve the ideals that make America a beacon of hope for the world. Mobile technology has enabled us to spread the message of hope and dignity through Freedom and Democracy, so now we are seeing an uptick in migrant dreamers coming for a better way of life. And the core values America is built upon compels us to make a few small sacrifices reaching out with empathy and compassion to those less fortunate. As Americans These Things We Do, That Others May Live A Better Life ...
About Author
James E Dean - Director, Art Book Video Shop ... James loves to read, learn about old collectibles and study new ideas that may produce optimal results. Mr. Dean brings over 35 years of experience across a wide range of industries worldwide. He is considered by many to be a leading expert in the energy sector, retail eCommerce, brand marketing and AI technology. J Dean is also a frequent Blogger, and graduate of Boston University. He enjoys collecting antiques, history, travel and fitness. Inquiry: Email Message
In the late 1980s, Mr. Dean worked at Fidelity Investments and American Finance Group, as Marketing Manager in Boston, Massachusetts. From there, James E Dean joined IMAGRAPH, a company that pioneered digital compression technology for medical CT-Scan and MRI applications, U.S. defense satellite imaging and broadcast digital video production markets. The company later went public (NASDAQ: LUMI). Subsequently, Mr. Dean became involved 1990s as a co-founder at Artel Software / BorisFX in Boston, Massachusetts; where he helped pioneer broadcast digital effects, video editing systems, advanced algorithms for software and hardware video production systems. The company later partnered with AVID Technology to go public (NASDAQ: AVID). Working in this role for many years, Mr. Dean lead the development team that partnered with AVID Technology, SONY, Microsoft, Apple, Panasonic, D-Vision Systems, IBM and MATROX to develop the digital video production industry which has enabled consumers i.e. ordinary people to create broadcast quality information, stories and share knowledge on networks worldwide. Often, J Dean was a frequent tech evangelist at the National Broadcast Convention (NAB) and Consumer Electronics Show (COMDEX) in Las Vegas. In the mid 2000s, James E Dean went on to launch several digital media and AI technology companies with a focus on business development, startup capital funding VC, eCommerce programming and creative multimedia services delivering broadcast quality text, image and rich video content, a role he enjoys today as the Director. Learn More About Us
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