People are dying by the millions all over the world due to crime, war, and poverty.
Assimilation, is key.
4
I have spent time in Amarillo. It's a very racist place. You'd think you were in Alabama in the 60s the way white people of all ages talk.
Also, First consider the geography. The Tyson plant (where the refugees work) and neighborhoods where they live is in far east Amarillo, near what was an Air Force base (closed in the late 60s) and a newer state prison. Most of the town lives in far west or south Amarillo (10-20 miles away) and are not forced to interact with refugees.
I happened to meet a Somali refugee at a car wash there. During our discussion it became apparent he was being charged predatory lending interest (24%) for a vehicle he bought used financed through Amarillo National Bank. He claimed good payment history and long term employment at Tyson. It was obvious he was not as learned about vehicle financing as he should be. In any case, it left me with the feeling that these people are being taken advantage of there, and perhaps kept in a cycle of debt in their new lives because they may lack the skills to properly manage their earnings.
I would hope the good citizens of Amarillo would help guide these people to flourish in our country and treat them with the kindness and goodwill they deserve and came here for.
12
The article paints a rosy picture of the refugee influx in Amarillo. Another side to the story is the strain on public education system. One high school has over 50 different languages and dialects trying to learn English. The schools in Texas are rated for percentage comprehension. There is no way Amarillo nor Texas can afford to educate these students so that this school could move above the lowest level. The refugee system should include funding for public institutions. There is a tremendous strain on the base of the 200,000 taxpayers
8
This is the lesson from Brexit. In UK counties where there were few immigrants, Brexit won handily. In the cities and counties where immigrants were integrated into the community, Brexit was defeated. Not so different here in the the U.S. NYT has reported this over and over. In my state of New Mexico as a minority-majority state we elected a Latina Democratic Governor, and while the southern part of the State is pretty red, they elected a Latina Congresswoman with a Toltec first name Xochitl Torres Small. It isn't a perfect linear relationship, but Amarillo proves the rule. Familiarity often softens opinions.
5
@M.S. Shackley Agree with your observation of voting demographics on Brexit, but have to point out that the cities, where there are many immigrants voting as they make up a large percentage, would naturally defeat Brexit. The immigrants are going to vote for more immigrants. Just a fact, local policies are driven by local demographics and culture(s).
1
Here I am, lying in a hospital bed (and doing well and ready to go home, thank you), marveling at the care I've received from folks with names and accents not generic American. The physician assistant (Ethiopia), the lead nurse (Vietnam), a team doctor (Nigeria), and quite a few more, were wonderful competent people.
When I get back home, I can sit at the window and watch the caravan of plumber, landscaper, and home services trucks with Spanish names.
More immigrants? Yes, let's do it.
24
I believe that immigrants who wish to fit into our country and who will work should be welcomed. However, those who come here looking for a handout and who wish to come to areas where they can live in an enclave of like minded people should not be allowed in.
As a corollary, skilled and educated folk who can contribute should be welcomed as well.
8
@Bill: The issue is whether places harboring white folks are enclaves of like minded people who were allowed in. Whether such folk are skilled and educated requires definition and depends on who is defining.
4
@Bill Regarding immigrants coming to enclaves with like minded people. Yes, this is true and has been true for many years. I can speak about this because I am married to an immigrant from Ireland. Many years ago as a new immigrant, she was drawn to a section of the Bronx that was very Irish. She worked with and socialized with Irish friends. They had a network of Irish friends, relatives and businesses. There was always a desire to be with their own. Of course as time went by, they gradually integrated or melted into this great melting pot, but they still want to socialize together and keep many of their customs. This is a group that speaks our language and look no different from the rest of us. I am sure that this bond of immigrants is stronger for people of color and / or from non English speaking countries.
3
Wow. Just discussing how to treat our fellow humans does whip up a load of emotion, eh?
I divide the world up into two camps.
The first says that we are all one species and we should find ways to improve the lives of everyone.
The second says I like my life and my surroundings just as they are - so leave me alone. It's not my job to help every person who is suffering.
Just about any faith you can find falls into the first. Yet the Bible Thumpers seem to most frequently land in the second. Why?
Of course we can't help everyone. But we can lead by helping a lot of them. We can set a global example by welcoming thousands and doing it the right way. Then we visit the UN weekly with demands that UN troops intercede where slaughter and abuse are rife. We can visit the UN weekly to push for every rich nation to do their share to protect and assist our fellow humans.
The isolationism of the Psychopath is antique and will not lead to a better world. Time for adults with compassion to step up, throw the Psychopath out and demonstrate intelligent leadership on the global stage.
Are we a species that can unite? Or are we just a bunch of tribes - forever at war?
18
We seem to have an all or nothing mentality in America. An acceptance of refugees turns into a flood of refugees and no practical way for them to assimilate. Some church models promote an influx of refugees and undocumented to help fill pews. Some businesses want them to fill low paid jobs. All things in moderation is not a bad way to govern and live. Extremists on both sides of issues just causes change to stall.
11
Please don't confuse Gov Abbott with facts, he with his depraved brand of hypocrisy does not want to hear them. The aim is solely to please his Master, POTUS45.
14
A refreshing and optimistic antidote to Thomas Edsall's column in today's NYT. We need countless more examples like this to bring us closer together instead of further apart.
7
I've been living here for over 30 years. I was born in Chicago and grew up in Houston. There is a certain openness in this area. Basically if you leave me alone I'll leave you alone. I won't say the jobs they are getting are easy. They tend to get more over use type injuries than catastrophic injuries. If both husband and wife of a couple work, they can make a pretty decent income. You especially see it in the local shopping malls, entertainment venues and restaurants. Language is a problem. Google translation only goes so far.
6
What an encouraging piece. I was born and raised in the Panhandle and moved to Pennsylvania shortly after college. As a retired English as a Second Language teacher, I'm happy to know that so many Amarillo citizens have open minds and hearts.
21
I'm a Texan and we are aware of the REAL situation in Amarillo. The jobs the refugees are getting are heinous, violent, dangerous jobs in slaughterhouse facilities. No one wants these jobs so the refugees get them. Moreover, refugees are sought out and recruited for these jobs. The violence witnessed by these workers coupled with workplace injuries creates a secondary layer of trauma for refugee workers fleeing horrors in their native countries. This is not the American Dream or the solution to solving the refugee crisis. Welcome refugees but don't exploit their labor.
31
@RP I agree. I think that conditions there will foster resentments and create a potential backlash that could be extremism with nostalgia for their homeland. We and they deserve better.
3
They lower the minimum wage rates and work for slave labour. They only like people they can use and make mega bucks out of by using their slave labour. It's a human rights issue and these refugees don't know their rights. You get prosecuted by the Labour Department in NZ if you exploit foreign workers who will do or say anything to be accepted into a democratic nation that isn't a cesspool like the one they couldn't wait to leave. And you get fined heavily. Busineses like foreign workers so they can exploit them and pay below the nationwide minimum wage - therefore lowering wages for the rest of the nation. What's the minimum wage nationwide wage in the USA? Employers probably think they're being generous by giving them some milk and food to fuel them to work faster. People will say anything and agree with anyone to get permanent citizenship and be accepted. Most humans someone they can exploit and rip off so they can profit from it. If there's nothing in it for the Texan then they won't like them. That goes for all workers. How much is the minimum wage in Texas now?
6
@CK Did you not read the article? It clearly states, "thousands of refugees now work in the meat-processing and food-processing plants across the Panhandle. They earn wages starting at $15 an hour...," which is considerably higher than the federal minimum wage.
15
"Here in Amarillo, which for a time took in more refugees per capita than any other Texas city, few share the governor’s alarm over refugees, and those who do have a far more nuanced view. They have long lived with refugees, not as abstract political talking points, but as neighbors."
This is why trump has to keep whipping up his base, with new resentments and anti-Hispanic lies about illegals pouring across the border to do harm.
When people actually live near each other, they'll do fine until someone comes along to whip up division.
29
While Mr. Rogers is probably well-intentioned when he says that he is welcoming towards refugees who want to be productive members of society and be American rather than hyphenated-American, his words erase the importance of the cultural identity of refugees, which should be just as valued as their economic input. His point that “nobody cares what color somebody is or where they came from” brings to light the problem that we as Americans have: we value refugees for their ability to assimilate to our culture instead of their ability to add to our cultural diversity. Refugees clearly have the potential to add to our economy, as seen by their immense spending power in Texas ($4.6 billion), allowing them to revitalize and keep local businesses running. They are also present in the workforce and have taken on jobs at various processing plants. However, their cultural and historical backgrounds are also a valuable asset they bring to their neighbors, who will be better educated on what is going on in the world around them. The fact that 60 languages are spoken in some of these schools shows that true “Americanness” is not one singular culture and therefore should not lead to the erasure of other cultures.
Also, just because we don’t see an obvious benefit of someone being a part of our society doesn’t mean that they should be turned away and made to suffer at the hands of the circumstances they trying to escape. All refugees should be treated with dignity because they are people.
15
"He wanted the governor to see the pictures he received about a month ago from relatives in his village. The pictures included gruesome images of murdered and sexually mutilated young Congolese women.
Were people facing such dangers not entitled to a Texas welcome?"
No, they aren't. The U.S. is not required to take in everyone in the world who is facing threats at home.
Furthermore, why would we want people from a culture where the murder and sexual mutilation of young women is a frequent problem? That a country has a major problem with such misogynistic violence is not a point in favor of admitting people from that country.
(Yes I know we have such crimes here as well. Must be less than they do in the Congo, though, or people from there wouldn't want to come here to get away from it. Obviously.)
7
@Tom Belgian rubber barons started the tradition of mutilation under Leopold II's rule. It is now an engrained part of conflict in the area. But I agree--it isn't our problem--Belgium should be taking in all the Congolese refugees, since it started the problem in the first place.
2
@Tom . . . I question your logic. If people want to get away from a country because of the violence, then that means they don't agree with what is happening there; thus they are exactly the kinds of citizens we want. They hate violence.
We also have violence here, but that doesn't make every person who lives in the USA the kind of person who would shoot people attending a church service, as has been done in some states.
3
@Nate I don't believe present-day Belgian women need to pay via mutilation for the crimes of a king in the 19th century. Nor do I believe that the penchant for extreme brutality in some African cultures originated with Europeans. You might want to read up on what early European visitors to Africa observed.
2
I noticed the times is not reporting, like say the bbc is, on the latest wave of Central Americans swamping the southern Mexican border to get to the US. The pictures look like a trump ad. The democrats and the left had better realize the average voter is far more interested in thousands more poor people flooding into the country than whether trump is a liar.
12
@AL . . .the average voter understands that the foreign policy of withdrawing help and aid from Central American countries and not working to stop the climate change that causes drought & famine, or flooding & famine in those countries is the reason those poor people want to come here. They can no longer feed themselves.
This average voter cares very much whether the president of the USA can be trusted to tell the truth to the American people, and to the world so the world will again trust our country and know that we mean what we, as a nation, say.
4
As usual a complete misrepresentation of the so called ban.
The policy is that illegal aliens breaking the law cannot be dumped on public welfare without support. This specificly does not apply to refugees as defined by law.
BTW there is no such thing as detention for illegal aliens.... any illegal not charged with a crime... is allowed... encouraged... to request a free ticket home at any time
So when you get bored watching TV at a government run spa with free food, free medical and free childcare just ask for a free ticket home.... what a deal!
As a tax paying citizen where do I sign up for this freebie?
11
“You can only take politics and things so far,” said Mr. Revell, 74, who is the chairman of the Randall County Republican Party. “When you’re looking at people suffering, it’s another deal.”
Some candidate should use that as a slogan. When it gets down to it, most people want those in need to be helped.
I have no real reason to go to Amarillo but will stop for awhile the next time I drive to Colorado.
22
I was born and raised outside of Amarillo and I agree with @Plumberb. People are kind and seem to go against the stereotype of the close-minded, hateful voter. I've never seen people being overtly angry towards immigrants in the Panhandle. It seems that the red-ness of the area's politics has a lot to do with the (false) idea that the Republicans give average people more economic benefits.
5
@Someone The cultural and social conservatism of the majority white population in the area is something that seems to keep the region in Republican hands, during the New Deal era social conservatives were voting for Democrats who enthusiastically supported the New Deal Policies of FDR especially in Lubbock County which was ground zero for the Dust Bowl. Neighboring towns are still named New Deal and Roosevelt, the red brick roads and Lubbock High have plaques commemorating the New Deal building programs. Everything from rural electrification, to building schools, farm subsidies and paving roads were championed by social conservatives well into the 70s. They started flipping with Reagan, but the nail in the coffin for Democrats in this area was Ann Richards. It cemented the cultural divide between liberals and conservatives.
6
I am a native Texan. The foolish and even racist actions and words of Texas Republican political ‘leaders’ is one reason my husband and I will be moving out of Texas in the near future. The more open and tolerant Texas cities become, the more narrow-minded and cruel Texas Republicans become. They just keep doubling down on stupidity and Trumpism in hopes of retaining power. There are signs the state is turning “purple” but unless we increase voter turnout, it may never happen. Texas is redistricting in 2021, so we need to vote in Democrats in 2020!
33
Amarillo is a strange place. I passed through there a couple of years ago. The interstate runs right through the heart of it and dominates everything.
I stopped at their famous "The Big Texan Steak Ranch" steakhouse to try it out and while waiting at the bar for my to go order, I was befriended by a local on the next stool who proceeded to angrily spew hate and venom for liberals and for his daughter because she had announced she was gay. His wife sat on the other side of him and I looked to see her reaction--she didn't blink or offer any comment regarding the tirade about their daughter.
Thankfully my to go order arrived just then and I promptly got the heck out of there and away from the hate.
11
Texas is supposed to be the Friendly State, but thanks to Trump and the GOP, barely veiled racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and a hatred for the poor and the other reign supreme.
11
Amarillo, you make Americans proud. I haven't been a proud American for quite some time. It's the small cities in Georgia, Maine, and Texas that will show us the way. Three cheers for Mr. Herrera, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Maboko, Dr. Revell, and Mayor Nelson. Thank you for reminding us about who we really are, as a nation.
12
Would have been nice to have some hard facts in this story, not just interviews. What has been the impact on the schools of having to accommodate 60 languages? How much crime is there among refugees? How many are working, how many need government support? What has been the impact on housing prices, rents, traffic, classroom size, etc. of accepting thousands of new people? What is the environmental burden--is water an issue in Amarillo? The fellow who wants 10 million new people a year notwithstanding, we can't grow forever and maintain our standard of living and environmental quality.
13
@Tom Tom, Manny Fernandez pretty much got it right. And in answer to some of your questions, the school system seems to be coping well with the influx of the children of these folks. As for crime, I can assure you that is definitely not a problem here; these souls are here to earn a decent living and raise their families. Housing does not seem to be a problem since affordable housing is the norm here. If you're really curious about all of this, come on down to the Panhandle and see for yourself or better yet, urge your mayor or representative to have a look. And he or she can try their hand at that free 72-oz. steak. I don't know who that bird talked to who was so profane and caused him to hustle out of Amarillo but he is definitely not representative of this town.
14
I was, as they say,"born, baptized (at the First Baptist Church by Rev. Winifred Moore) and bred" in Amarillo but have spent the last five decades in California, though I still have friends and family there. Republican to the extreme, it is also filled with genuinely good people, friendly, kind and willing to (slowly) accept others. It helps me keep my my liberal political perspective honest - most conservatives are decent folks. As to what they see in our sitting President completely baffles me, but for the most part, their hearts are in the right - maybe far right - place.
I'm happy this diaspora of colors and faiths has found a home in Amarillo and imagine the meat packing plants, who struggle to find workers, are just as happy. I also suspect most all live on the East side of Amarillo where they can be accepted at a distance by the uniformly white upper middle class folks on the other side of town - much the same as it has always been in Amarillo. Myself, I'm happier in California, but I will not disparage my old home town. It is American as barbeque and as Texan as the peach cobbler that follows.
12
@Plumberb
I take umbrage at the your representation that "most conservatives are decent folks". Anyone who votes for Trump is not decent.
7
Does that apply to the previously enlightened folks that voted for BHO sometimes twice before the democrats ran HRC?
3
@GEO2SFO : I know it is hard to imagine - I have trouble with it myself - and some, definitively not all, Trump voters are decent people who are very conservative. Many are quite moved by their faith and community and would like to see the rest of America guided by that faith while keeping their community as it is - which largely translates to white. As for myself, my faith is much more aligned with science than any recognizable God and I thrive in racially and ethnically diverse communities and would like to see more Americans adopt my viewpoint. But when it comes to the truly decent folks on either side of that divide, people are not wrong, just different. Like me, they tend to vote for the people who best align with their faith and hopes. That said, there are many white nationalists, gun toting nut cases with the 2nd amendment tattooed on their necks, extreme, fundamentalist, homophobic Christians and extreme corporate officers who pray (and prey) on the alter of wealth who don't likely fall under my definition of decent. And yes, they vote for Trump as well. Yes, it's an ugly world right now but I can't bring myself to condemn otherwise decent people saying grace at the dinner table - and meaning it- who, come November will be voting for Trump. Somethings defy explanation and are nonetheless true.
6
I have recently had the pleasure of riding in two yellow cabs, each one owned by men originally from Nigeria.
The pride was palpable: thoughtful conversation, spotlessly clean rigs, and proudly displayed voter registration cards.
The governor of Texas should take a cab ride in Austin instead of toadying up to trump and his criminal administration.
56
Nah fellas, I lived in Amarillo for 18 years cowboy culture is not dominant.
6
@Ryan Well I've lived here 26 years, and yeah, it really is. This article is really about more than just Amarillo as the surrounding area also is home to many immigrants. Drive 45-60 miles in any direction. You'll see immigrants. And a ton of cowboy culture.
5
@Ryan what part of Amarillo is not cowboy culture?????? I’ve lived here for more than 20 years, and am still startled by the pervasiveness of the cowboy.
3
@Thomas I wasnt denying that there are immigrants I was talking about the city culture if we,re talking about outside of Amarillo sure
1
It is VERY heartening to hear about this particular "exception to the rule"!! Perhaps the good folks of Armarillo will share their positive experience with immigration, with the rest of Texas and a trend can be started!! Sounds a bit dream-like, but North America has always been a land of both immigrants AND dreamers.
9
It is refreshing to see such open mindedness and a genuine sharing attitude like Amarillo's and its good mayor.
22
Amarillo gives me hope. But Greg Abbott is a hope killer. Sometimes, decent and reasonable people have deep political differences. And sometimes people on the other side are simply evil. Abbott's entire career suggests that he fits into the latter category -- a truly despicable human being.
34
Good for the city of Amarillo, Mayor Ginger Nelson and, of course, the refugees like Patrick Maboko. What a wonderful example they set for our nation of immigrants and descendants of immigrants, in sharp contrast to racists like Governor Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump.
22
Finally something decent from Texas.
10
I love a lot about Texas, was born there and even now still feel a pull back.
Then I read an article about Greg Abbott or Ted Cruz and think...oh yeah... now I remember why I left.
It won't always be this way, as bit by bit immigrants from other countries and from our own dilute their narrow minded view, each one makes my smile a little bit broader
43
Most Americans welcome LEGAL immigrants, but do not want ILLEGAL immigrants. They recognize that the US cannot afford (or choose not) to support our own citizens: the poor, the ill, elderly, disabled, veterans, et al., and that they and other US taxpayers cannot possibly support the 20 million illegal immigrants already in the US, much less the hundreds of millions of foreigners who would like to come here.
US laws allow foreigners to seek entry and citizenship. Those who do not follow these laws are in this country illegally and should be detained and deported; this is policy in other countries, too.
The cruelty lies not in limiting legal immigration, or detaining and deporting illegal immigrants, or forcing those who wish to enter the US to wait for processing. What is cruel, unethical and probably illegal is encouraging parents to bring their children on the dangerous trek to US borders and teaching the parents how to game the system to enter the US by falsely claiming asylum, persecution, etc. Indeed, many believe bringing children on such perilous journeys constitutes child abuse.
No other nation has open borders, nor should the US.
25
@Mon Ray
We are an aging country and unless we increase our working population, we are doomed to be a stagnant, unproductive nation. We have room for many millions more but more importantly, we need these hardworking people to pay for our health costs (Medicare) and social security of our senior citizens who are not part of the 1%.
14
@GEO2SFO "We have room for many millions more" Even supposing your facts are correct, what's the plan? We'll shore up our labor force, Medicare, and Social Security by admitting millions more people. And then they'll get old too, and we'll need more millions, until we've taken in the "many millions more" you say we have room for. Once we are crowded like Mexico City, what do we do then?
People point to Japan as an example of an aging, stagnant nation, but they have great quality of life, low crime, etc. The only thing that grows forever is cancer. If we need to fix our retirement system, let's fix it, not rely on admitting more and more people as a pyramid scheme. If we have to fix it someday, why wait until our open spaces are gone?
I *like* living in America as it is, "oh beautiful, for spacious skies." If you want to live in Mexico City why don't you just move there?
6
I’ve lived in Amarillo for the last 32 years. Refugees have been welcome here for decades. I’m proud of Mayor Ginger Nelson and many other neighbors who understand that we have plenty of room in our city and our hearts for new people, new ideas, and new traditions.
67
Having lived in Amarillo for about five years in the late 70s, I am glad to see that Amarillo is welcoming refugees a warmly as it welcomed this Yankee almost fifty years ago. Amarillo truly deserves recognition for being a city that welcomes all newcomers, refugees, immigrants and even Yankees.
48
tellingly, it is “Republican leadership” pushing this and other equally horrible policies down our throats.
they really must go - each and every one of them - if we EVER want to regain the America we used to be (about three years ago)
29
Most Americans are more concerned about the democrats mass immigration policies than the rights restrictions on immigration. The country of 3 years ago and the lefts open borders agenda (sanctuary cities, not deporting anybody, chain migration, lax border enforcement, catch and release and on and on) is what gave us trump and it might again if the democrats don’t wake up.
4
Having lived in Texas most of my life I find this story hard to believe. The Panhandle has always been redder than red. Once word of this article gets out, they will overwhelm city hall with protests.
10
@Lacaata I live in Amarillo. Yep It's red. And we have almost zero hate crimes. Here the refugees are just neighbors. You may have lived in Texas, but this is the Panhandle, it ain't Dallas.
38
Worked in the refugee resettlement and visited Amarillo. Guess who works in Tyson slaughterhouses?
Jobs that are hard to fill.
Did not eat meat for a while after visiting that place.
2
@Lacaata Thomas has it right. No one will "overwhelm city hall" because there is nothing to get worked up about. Finally, a positive piece on Amarillo without the usual phony swipes at "cowboy culture" or hayseed mentality.
7