Senator Dick Durbin Proposes Militarizing Migrants
On December 5th, 2023, Illinois’ Democratic Senator Dick Durbin proposed his military strategy before Congress: arming illegal immigrants, enlisting them into the U.S. Military; giving them U.S. citizenship. Senator Durbin justified his position by warning our lack of new military recruits represents “a grave threat to our national security;” Durbin did not mention the numerous government-funded international wars in various nations throughout the world; appropriated by Congress at the taxpayer’s expense. Senator Durbin proclaimed, “I'm a person who believes in immigration. My mother was an immigrant to this country, and I'm proud to be in the Senate [as a] first-generation American representing the great state of Illinois. But I understand the overwhelming numbers [that] we are facing at the border, and President Biden is facing—[I would] really argue for us to take a hard look at the way we approach this;” Durbin continued, “[i]t's hard to explain [that] in the United States of America, a nation of immigrants, why immigration is such a hot, controversial topic,” (Durbin). All Americans should be pro-immigration; the process of immigration since our nation’s founding is the process of becoming a legal U.S. citizen. Durbin did not specify whether the immigrants he referred to, including his mother were documented citizens or undocumented illegal immigrants. As “a person who believes in immigration;” Durbin should note that immigration involves the legal process of entering the country; the Department of Homeland Security warns that “[f]oreign citizens wishing to immigrate and live permanently in the U.S. must comply with U.S. visa immigration laws, and specific procedures to apply for visas,” (DHS).
Immigrants and Migrants
Migrants. As reported in an earlier brief, the term migrants is ambiguous in language and does not specifically define whether the individual has entered the country through customs or bypassed the immigration process. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) defines the term migrants as “an umbrella term, not defined under international law, reflecting the common lay understanding of a person who moves away from his or her place of usual residence, whether within a country or across an international border, temporarily or permanently, and for a variety of reasons,” (IOM). A note further down the page reads the disclosure, “[a]t the international level, no universally accepted definition for “migrant” exists. The present definition was developed by IOM for its own purposes and it is not meant to imply or create any new legal category.
Immigrants. The term immigrant means those legally entering the country who are not yet U.S. citizens. The Department of Homeland Security defines the term immigrant as; “any person lawfully in the United States who is not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or person admitted under a nonimmigrant category as defined by the INA Section 101(a)(15),” (DHS).
Refugees. According to the United Nations (UN) Refugee Agency, the term refugee means “someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group…52% of all refugees and other people in need of international protection come from just three countries: Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan,” (UN).
Asylum. The United States government denotes that asylum is granted by meeting two criteria; first, the candidate has to be inside the United States; second, the candidate must be able to demonstrate that they were persecuted, or have a fear of persecution. The candidate’s fear of further persecution must derive from their home country and be under the condition of; race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion, (USA.gov). The theory of this policy negates those accused of fugitives who have committed crimes, or violated common law in their homeland; yet in practice, the vague interpretive contingencies allow for those fleeing prosecution for crimes in any outside country to claim fear of social or political persecution, gaining expedited asylum in America.
Reasonable Fear. According to the DHS Candidates declaring a reasonable fear of persecution, must meet the following criteria; “reasonable possibility” of persecution or torture due race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion if returned to their country of origin.
By utilizing ambiguous language the federal government has lost control over who exactly comes into the country. While immigrants are the traditional definition of Americans themselves, the term represents those who have legally entered the country, not the actual legal term utilized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Durbin’s Military Strategy
Senator Durbin justified his claims by stating, the military “can't reach their quotas each month. They can't find enough people to join our military forces. And there are those who are undocumented who want the chance to serve and risk their lives for this country. Should we give them a chance? I think we should,” (Durbin, D.)
Durbin also believes immigrants can fill American jobs that remain void; the Senator stated doctors, nurses, and skilled personnel can all benefit from this measure; adding “[i]n my state of Illinois, in Chicago, [and] in the rural areas downstate, we're holding our breath hoping that we can keep hospitals open. You know why? We don't have enough medical personnel. And yet there are people all around this world who have medical credentials as doctors and nurses and skilled technicians who want to come to the United States, but we don't give them the chance,” (Durbin). Durbin dismissed any correlation with the descending state of the US economy, nor mentioned the inverted budgeting of Congress, namely the lack of allocated appropriations to state infrastructure due to excessive federal foreign aid, funding further military interests, as witnessed in the horrendous H.R. 2617 annual appropriations bill.
Senator Dick Durbin concluded, “There are some on the other side, I'm going to be very blunt about this, who believe in the theory of ‘not one more immigrant’ in this country. They don't know the history of the United States. They don't know what these immigrants have meant to us. In my family and the families across the whole country, you can point to immigrants who made a solid difference in building a family, [and] building an economy, which we all prosper from today. So let's get it right when it comes to enforcement at the border, but let's not tell half the story, (Durbin). Senator Durbin fails to disclose the recognized definition of the unspecific term immigrant being used which has resulted in egregious immigration policy. As citizens continue to witness the ineffectiveness of government inaction, incumbent pol like Senator Durbin aim to offer outlandish ineffective schemes beyond comprehension. In support, propaganda outlet Vice Magazine’s Matthew Gault echoed Senator Durbin’s ploy, writing, “[t]he U.S. military has a well-documented extremism problem…[a] lot of neo-Nazis have turned out to be former Marines. In 2021, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered a 60-day pause across all branches so they could take time to address the problem,” (Vice). By facilitating propaganda to the public, the Executive Branch can reorient immigration to offer entrance into the military as a means of gaining access to citizenship. Undocumented illegal immigrants will soon be granted access to U.S. military technology, whereby they will be expected to fight for our nation. This poses a second question; who exactly will these undocumented soldiers be combatting against; could they be deployed against the American population? On December 5th, 2023 Senator Dick Durbin posted on X in advocation of facilitating legislation to support an authoritative state; declaring, “[t]he FBI must be able to investigate criminal activity thoroughly and without political interference,” (Durbin).
There are no barriers to stopping foreign nations from sending refugees to the U.S.-Mexico border to enter lawfully under the loose constructionist legislation. Americans throughout local communities across the country are now vulnerable to an attack from maleficent forces posing as refugees, exploiting the poor policy implemented on America’s Southern border. The government could ultimately utilize militarized undocumented immigrants to fulfill tasks American soldiers would be otherwise opposed to; these tasks would include government enforcement, in exchange for citizenship and government-funded resources. The extent of this concern is boundless; therefore decries vague conditions; instead requesting the refinement of the language used in the policy itself to denote with clarity the limitations of asylum eligibility in a more specific context. While numerous wars are currently underway, America safely remains detached from the nations they enact regime changes within; should any nation decide to pit its people against Americans, they would likely remain undetected until activated by their government, in the case of an embroiled conflict. Should America incite war with Iran, or other nations they may send operatives across America to bring the conflict directly to our homeland. Before international terrorist organizations can launch attacks in American cities, we must remove our military footprint throughout the world, and close down the U.S. southern border, while revising our doctrine and national approach to contemporary immigration.
Scripture on Immigration
The Bible is clear on immigration; we are all immigrants living on God’s land; Scripture calls upon Christians to implement. The Old Testament points to the New Covenant, continuing to stand with relevance in contemporary polity. While the disciples were immigrants themselves, their mission was to bring glory to God; the government is not stewarding US immigration; instead granting all immigrants who claim asylum without contention. Exodus reveals that “[t]he same law will apply to both the native and the alien who resides among you,” (Exodus 12:49; CSB). The U.S. government should not make exceptions to American immigration policy based on ambiguity and subjective interpretation, as the law must remain impartial to circumstance; it must sharpen its policy language to reflect honorable criteria with principality towards the current citizens themselves Leviticus declares that no matter our position on foreign policy, we must remember to treat illegal immigrants with love and compassion while stewarding the resources God has provided to our physical neighbor, directly within our community. We can help foreign citizens in need, without bringing detriment to our own. Leviticus states that, “[y]ou shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” On murder, Leviticus reminds us that whoever kills a person shall be put to death, no matter their status or position in contemporary culture; stating “[y]ou are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the LORD your God,’” (Leviticus 24:21-23; NIV). Deuteronomy encourages respecting those who have made personal sacrifices for the betterment of their future; reading “Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. 15 Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise, they may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin,” (Deuteronomy 24:14-15; NIV). Numbers provides another examples of the objectivity we must hold for American immigration policy whereby His Holy Spirit, “[a]nd if a stranger dwells among you, and would keep the LORD’s Passover, he must do so according to the rite of the Passover and according to its ceremony; you shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger and the native of the land,’” (Numbers 9:14; NKJV). In all instances, the Lord highlights the importance of loving our brethren, as we are all made in the image of God, (Gen 1:27).
In all of these OT references applicable to illegal immigration; alongside questionable and concerning means of bypassing traditional immigration policy
The New Testament
Matthew reminds us that we cannot blame the individual for their attempt to pass through our loose immigration policy; thereby scribing “[f]or if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses,” (Matthew 6:14-15; ESV). To those considering leaving their nations underresourced who are not facing immediate persecution, Matthew decrees that the individual, “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own,” (Matthew 6:33-34; NASB). Although the grass may appear greener on the other side of the U.S.-Mexico Border, should America continue its current course of meritless immigration policy; whereby incumbent pol strive to bolster their appeal for re-election at the expense of human lives and devastating effect to local communities in resounding areas. State budgets must now account for immigration resources, as many states look for infrastructure to contain the influx of immigrants, some states have resorted to building temporary facilities while others commandeering hotels, police stations, and churches.
Concluding, Matthew declares, “[y]ou shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets,” (Matthew 22:37-40; ESV).
Paul scribes in Romans “[i]f possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all,” (Romans 12:18; ESV), adding that we should “[o]we nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law…Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law,” (Romans 13:8,10; NASB). We do not need to supplant the needs of our neighbor over those of our own families; instead, all that is decreed is that we love our neighbor with the same capacity and discernment we use toward ourselves; this includes stewardship of resources. Scripture does not ordain the exalting of self over the collective body of Christ; therefore we cannot position our nation to meet the needs of individuals who are not facing extreme circumstances beyond their own method of entering America. Despite the politics of immigration; and the ineptitude of Congress; all are created equal in the image of God (Gen 1:27), for we strive to live in abundance (Eph 3:20) through all that Jesus provides; allowing us to reflect his image in our actions; (2 Cor 3:18); for we are citizens of Heaven, (Phi 3:20-21). Therefore, candidates for immigration are equal to those already residing here, and must not be deified; fleeing one’s homeland without resources, in pursuit of a better life defies the provision of Scripture to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth in all nations; not just a select few; not just America. Coercing immigrants into America without appropriate resources is deceitful and tyrannical, as undocumented citizens from other nations gaining access to military-grade information poses an even greater threat to our national security.
Conclusion
It is our actions as a nation that produces a generational reaction, shaping the conditions of society’s state of affairs for the future. These actions include our obligation to steward the specificities of immigration policy to best reflect the needs of the nation’s current citizens. This includes rejecting the federal government’s deceptive tactic to inundate the nation with human beings; gaining approval from constituents; and then funneling them to the states to meet their basic needs. This is not immigration; it is exploiting foreign citizens, to perpetuate the façade of generosity Washington strives to exude.
Bibliography
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X. Twitter. (Accessed on December 5th, 2023). (20) Senator Dick Durbin on X: "The American people deserve thorough, responsible oversight of executive branch agencies, including the FBI. Baseless claims that the FBI has been weaponized for political purposes – and dangerous calls to defund it – are unacceptable." / X.
https://twitter.com/SenatorDurbin/status/1732074931473568200.