Window on the West
Opinion column
by Mary Rupert
Under a presidential order, travelers were banned from seven countries, predominantly Muslim, from entering America on Jan. 27. Even those who were legally traveling with a work visa were not allowed into the country. The ban was overturned on Friday by a federal court order. The administration is appealing it.
As I see it, the argument is should you block everyone from certain countries from entering the nation in order to catch a couple of possible would-be criminal terrorists, or should you let in everyone with visas and correct papers in order, just screening them.
I personally have always been against punishing an entire group for the actions of a few. The American system calls for the assumption of innocence until proven guilty, not the assumption of guilt. An individual should be held responsible for his own actions; the group should not be held responsible for an individual’s actions.
But a travel ban on everyone from a certain country, or everyone who belongs to a certain religion, including those who have work visas, could block medical doctors who are coming back to their jobs here after being abroad, or well-respected professors, business owners, researchers or religious leaders who are anything but terrorists, and who have no record of violence in their pasts. The overwhelming majority of international students at American colleges are upstanding people of good character.
There were also refugees who were affected by the travel ban. The overwhelming majority of the refugees are fleeing for their lives to find a safe and peaceful place to live.
The ban has been costly to America’s image as a place that welcomes immigrants – and the ban had the ring of prejudice based on a religious preference.
In fact, this ban reminds me of a prejudice or redlining sometimes found in other areas of Kansas against Wyandotte County residents on the basis of their place of residence. Some small-town authorities have been known to be suspicious of big-city residents – when, of course, we who live here believe that at least 95 percent of us are good, upstanding people.
Clearly, if it is necessary to increase security in America, some other method must be employed that evaluates each person, and does not discriminate against persons because of their country of origin or religion. That method must be legal and ethical.
America has been enriched by immigrants throughout its history, and it continues to benefit from some of the smartest and best people in the world who come here to study and work on research, and others who spend their money at our tourist locations. It’s not fair to blame all international visitors for a few who are a problem.
To reach Mary Rupert, editor, email [email protected].
