Governor Of Oregon Says She Welcomes Syrian Refugees In Passionate Facebook Post

While 31 governors–the majority of them in the South–have said they don’t want Syrian refugees in their state, one governor is going against that trend and saying those fleeing the Syrian civil war and ISIS are more than welcome in her state.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown, in a Facebook post, noted that America is a land of immigrants:

‘The words on the Statue of Liberty apply in Oregon just as they do in every other state. Clearly, Oregon will continue to accept refugees – they bring their hopes and dreams to America, and we will continue to welcome them and open the doors of opportunity.”

I can only speak for myself, but I’m willing to bet that most of us, unless we are Native American, descended from relatives who immigrated here from other countries. My family made their way from Ireland, Scotland, and England for a chance at a better life in the United States. Were the Irish welcomed with open arms when they arrived? No. Were the Scots? No they weren’t. But thankfully this country saw the great potential and promise of immigrants. Had they not, I would not be an American today. Most of us wouldn’t.

So let’s take a moment to consider what it says on the Statue of Liberty, which so many immigrants have seen as they arrived in America:

“Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“’Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!’ cries she
With silent lips. ‘Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!’”

Could that be any clearer? I don’t think so.

And to those governors who want to issue proclamations which have no legal authority, I say this: Pack your bags! We’re shipping you back where you came from! Have a nice trip.

How does it feel when the shoe is on the other foot?

This article was originally published by the same author at LiberalAmerica.org.

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