Skip the Comparisons With Mexico
If these kids are really refugees, as the United Nations has designated them, they did nothing wrong. Asylum law says that upon crossing the border, they are not to evade authorities but to surrender and ask for help. They did that, by the book. And yet, their accommodations are so sparse as to seem punitive.
In fact, right-wing radio host Glenn Beck recently came across as a kinder and gentler alternative to the Obama administration by delivering $2 million worth of food, clothing, shoes, teddy bears and soccer balls to churches at ground zero -- Texas' Rio Grande Valley.
Now, let's go back to the radio interview and the question that drove it: What about Mexico?
Being a Mexican-American, as I formulated my response, the "American" half took over.
"Mexico has -- in part because of its resistance to immigration -- never been a model of economic prosperity and fairness," I said. "And, as a Mexican-American born in this country to parents who were born in this country, I've never, ever, aspired to be like Mexico."
Nor should any other American. We need to stop comparing ourselves to Mexico. What's the point? When dealing with immigrants and refugees, the United States is a much better country. We must realize that. Let's start acting like it.
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Ruben Navarrette's email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com.
Copyright 2014 Washington Post Writers Group
