A quick look at a book from IVP Books about immigration that I’m just starting.
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Anyone read Welcoming the Stranger by Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang? Any initial thoughts on the immigration debate?
welcoming the stranger
6 responses to “welcoming the stranger”
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can I borrow your copy when you’re done? Sounds like a very interesting book!
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First of all, I readily admit my ignorance to the complete picture of issues surrounding immigration (maybe I should read that book too!). One of the only experiences with immigration was when my parents came to the US. My dad was granted a student visa and applied and was granted citizenship while in the US. The only illustration that makes sense to me is a nice restaurant. Everyone is hungry and wants to dine in the restaurant but there are a limited number of tables. Consequently, people have to wait their turn to be seated. People wait, sometimes for a long time. People shouldn’t cut or jump into the first seat they see without regards to those whom were in line. Now that may be a uber-simplistic view but in my opinion it encapsulates some aspects of the immigration issue. Just like Health Care, I do believe immigration reform needs to happen now. Clear, fair, and easily attainable steps to grant citizenship should be implemented to allow the undocumented to take steps for citizenship while living in the US. But blatant illegal crossing of the border by land or sea should be put to a stop.
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Hi David,
Loved the picture of Eliot snoozing! I am reading Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne. I had read Irresistible Revolution and found it very thought provoking so wanted to read this. Have you read it? Would love to know your thoughts. He is speaking at Elizabeth’s school (Hope College) on November 15 and I am going to make every attempt to go….As for the Immigration Debate I am not educated enough regarding it to even comment. I am going to read this book and hope it helps to open my eyes.
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Hey Theresa. I did enjoy Jesus for President and had the chance to review it last years: part one, part two, and part three. I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts.
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David, Let me know what you think of the book. We may highlight it at Urbana and I’d love to know what you think. Immigration reform is deeply needed because the abuses to humans in our detainee system are outrageous. There are a few articles on this that have come out this month in various publications.
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Yes- it is very simplistic. A comment/questions to gerald is to maybe hear the stories of folk who did not have the privileges involved with being able to PAY to come to the table. I know when I was trying to get my cousin a student visa (over a four year period) that we had to prove he had 16,000 US in the bank in order to obtain that visa. Now granted he was coming from an undesirable country of folks labeled “criminals” –so where were your parents coming from? Have you heard the stories of those who had been invited to the table from an “undesirable” country? Is that some are cutting the line and not waiting their turn, or are certain desired people being MOVED to the front of the line, while others are scolded for complaining about being hungry? It had helped me personally through relationships and reading to know the drastically different background and stories of people in order to have some compassion on why they may do things. Not to excuse, but to have compassion. BTW- it’s been 10 yrs , still not visa.
David W. Swanson 
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