You Are Welcome Here

It took President Trump just a week to make his intentions clear.

Though patently unconstitutional and incompetently implemented, that first travel ban was an unmistakable signal that the bigotry on which he campaigned would also be a bedrock of his administration. Since then, we’ve seen more of the same: the proposed border wall, a second travel ban targeting Muslim countries, plans to crack down on sanctuary cities and ratchet up deportations. These are dark hours for America’s immigrant and refugee populations.

But in this darkness we’ve also seen glimmers of light: thousands upon thousands of people all over the country marching in the streets, protesting at airports, demanding that our institutions protect the vulnerable, proclaiming to the world that Donald Trump does not speak for us.

In this week’s INDY, we lend our voices to this cause. In the pages that follow, you’ll find stories of those suffering under America’s byzantine and often cruel immigration systemwhich, to be fair, long predates Trumpas well as those fighting back against rising tides of nationalism and intolerance. Our message is simple: no matter your circumstance, you are welcome here.

At its best, America has been a beacon of hope to those yearning to breathe free; at its worst, we’ve allowed or perpetuated unthinkable horrors. Now, at this crossroads in our history, we must decide what kind of country we want to beand whether we have the resolve and the vigilance to stand up for what’s right.