1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

I am a mother of two school-age children, a teacher, and a proud member of my community in Waukesha, Wisconsin. I am outraged at the hypocrisy being shown towards immigration by our president, his policies, and the current budget under debate. Our systems of immigration have been a mess for some time, and absolutely need thoughtful revision. However, instead of approaching this issue in a way that is best for America and best for all people, the president is showing his desire to attack the vulnerable and uplift those he deems as acceptable -- those who are like him. He is spending tremendous effort and money to round up individuals and families, most of whom have little money, little recourse to work through our tangled system in place to become a citizen, and little opportunity to have a voice. He is causing fear, panic, and pain among those who cannot fight back. He is labeling them en masse as criminals, when the vast majority are not. He is asking for millions more to be spent on this in the proposed budget, which I do not want. At the exact same time, he is proudly introducing a special visa for the ultra-rich, those able to easily pay $5 million. He is couching it as a way to bring in those who will spend money here, those he sees as desirable. As part of the current budget, they are raising costs for those truly in need of asylum from unsafe living conditions, and that $1,000 fee would be out of reach for many who would be left in desperate situations. This is not my America. My America would be working to get reasonable systems in place for those people and families already here, already working hard, already with places and connections in our communities to become citizens. My America does not dismiss these people as garbage and toss them out, while holding out a hand and an easy process for the ultra-rich. My America would not charge money to those who don't have it, but who deserve our help and compassion. This is not acceptable on any level. This is not the image of America that I want out in the world, or the national identity that I wish to pass down to my children. Speak up now, loudly, for those with no voice. Speak up for me and your other constituents who have a very different value system and treasured idea of America than these policies reflect.