Open Letter to Gov. Jan Brewer

Dear Governor Brewer,
I am writing to you today because I feel you are not being very representative of the reality of the border. I just watched your ad spot on the border (6.30.2010) and am writing to tell you that your political ideology is flawed in several ways.

First, I think that you are representative of a significant nativist ideology that does not like immigrants and seeks to vilify them at any cost. Second, if you are so concerned about the safety of the border region, why do you insist on suggesting such stupid falsehoods as "all immigrants are smuggling drugs". You know that is a lie. It does nothing but vilify the poorest among us: the majority of immigrants that seek their only hope in the United States. Have you not seen the lure of billions in remittances back home in estado de Veracruz or in DF? What person in this world does not wish to build a home for their family or lift them from poverty? Is that the person you wish to lump together with all the genuinely bad and evil motherf--kers that are smuggling drugs and people? The poor migrant, the migrant we have always embraced as a nation? Will you go pick lettuce in their stead?

Governor Brewer, I am certain you are an honorable person. Everyone around me is my countryman and woman, I seek not to tell you that I do not like you so. But I feel that you are wrong in your assessment of the what's at issue with the border. Governor Brewer, the real process of securing the border is about learning to recognize and build a healthy relationship between the immigrant community and the nation that needs them. Governor Brewer, the idea that all immigrants regardless of those that seek a better life in this country are to be referred to as "drug smugglers"? This is nothing but an effort to divert attention from the reality of your budding police state (for certain races) here in Arizona. It is also disrespectful to all those genuine people who come to the United States seeking only a part of the life that you and I are privileged to enjoy.

I can hear your reply that they are indeed doing just that, smuggling drugs. My reply to you is this: you know very well that the people who are smuggling drugs are the drug smugglers. And they are the people you have to deal with. You create humane and sensible immigration policies and the flow of immigrants drops–immigrants want the same humanity and prosperity that we all enjoy. This is the only way you can separate out the people who genuinely want to work in the United States and those who are bringing the violence of drug war culture in Mexico to our land.

Securing the border under the terms of your vision will only serve to increase violence. It is imperative that you set aside your narrow nativistic ideology toward immigrants and deal with an appropriate immigration system first and foremost. Only then you will be able to 'secure' the border in any meaningful way.

Sincerely,
Steve Buckley