To the editor:
This story may sound familiar to you. My grandfather immigrated to our great nation in 1897 from Holland. While at Ellis Island, a port of entry for immigrants in New York City, he changed his name from Dirk to Dick in an attempt to better fit into this New World he was entering.
He settled in Nyssa, Ore., eked out a life by buying and selling cattle, married and became a father to four children. My mother was his first born.
Today, his several grandchildren are mostly retired from professional careers in education, engineering, church work and business.
Oregon has proven to be a good place to live for many of us, including me.
At this time in history, life for immigrants is not as easy as it was for my grandfather, and it was not easy for him. People, especially people of color, both documented and undocumented, live in constant fear due to the presence of ICE in our communities.
ICE is here in The Dalles because our local four-county jail, NORCOR, has a contract with ICE that fills bed space and helps balance its budget.
The presence of ICE in our fair city is breeding fear and distrust, causing people to live less wholesome and productive lives.
Yes, people who break the law should face consequences for their actions.
Our local law enforcement officers can handle those situations. However, people are here seeking asylum and sanctuary, hoping for a chance for a new and better life, should be allowed to do so.
I, for one, want ICE out of NORCOR and The Dalles.
Gretchen Kimsey
The Dalles
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