The great border dilemma

A Moment with Matt

Border security is a heightened topic in our great nation lately and most everyone has an opinion one way or another. Should we build a wall to strengthen our borders or allow an influx of immigrants to come into our country.

I’ve visited Mexico in the past and I would be leery to make that trip again. I follow the violence on the news and the rise of crime or at least the rise in media coverage, makes me question the safeness of Mexico.

I want to do everything in my power to ensure my daughters are raised in an environment that is safe, which has strongly influenced me to want to see increased security at our borders.

Lately though I can’t help but realize how blessed I am to be born in such a great nation. I have the freedom to choose my path in life. My family doesn’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, if they will have clothes to wear or worry about a place to sleep.

If I don’t like my job, I can find another. If I don’t like a certain food, I have the luxury of eating something else and if my family has a need, I can provide for them.

What if I was on a different end of the spectrum? What if I was born into a poor country where the opportunities weren’t as plentiful? If I looked into my family’s eyes and saw the look of hunger and had no means of feeding them, what extremes would I take to ensure they are taken care of. I’ve never had to endure that lifestyle so I’m not at liberty to judge a dad who escapes a land without opportunity to provide for his family.

Often people say we don’t mind welcoming immigrants into our country if they come here legally. Desperate times call for desperate measures and nothing hurts more than witnessing someone you love suffering.

Families risk a lot crossing the border, trekking through miles of desert and seeking solace in our country. Some even lose family members on their journey. They come and work jobs that most people wouldn’t for minimum pay. They do it not because they want to but because they must.

Then there are those who enter our country for the wrong reasons. They are involved in criminal activity and are of no benefit to our nation. They want personal gain at all costs and often don’t have respect for life, law enforcement or our country. Those are the ones we strive to keep out at all cost.

I’m not sure how we distinguish the good from the bad, the honest from the dishonest or the providers from the takers, but I hope that we can find a way to strengthen our borders to protect our country and assist fathers trying to protect and provide for their families who weren’t born into opportunity.

Matthew Ybarra is a man with many irons in the fire, with a tremendous love for God, family, community, sports and music.