Vineyard Gazette: Migrants Return to Vineyard a Year Later for Heartfelt Reunion
On Sept. 9, almost a year to the day since 49 migrants landed on Martha’s Vineyard unexpectedly, Islanders hosted a quiet reunion for the asylum seekers who have since scattered across the country. There outside St. Andrew’s parish house, volunteers and migrants reunited over food, music and lawn games — a far cry from the emergency response that had initially brought them together. Co-organizer and Island-based immigration attorney Rachel Self said she was taken aback by the interest.
“We thought maybe five of them would want to come back,” she said. “All 49 said they wanted to come back.”
Within a few weeks, the organizers had been able to secure enough host families to house every guest, and enough private donations to cover travel expenses.
As attendees trickled into the potluck, many hugged, laughed and showed off their improved English or Spanish. Some remarked how tall the children had gotten as they played rounds of cornhole in the parish house parking lot.
“I feel like everybody’s more relaxed,” Ms. Lima said. “You’re not getting to know their tragic story, now you’re like, ‘Oh, what do you do for work?’”
Matthew 25:35,40: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. ...The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.‘”
Leviticus 19:34: “You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”
Way, way back in 2022, Republicans opposed appropriations to fund additional Border Patrol agents and operations, additional personnel at ports of entry, and between-the-ports technology to prevent illegal entry.
But ha ha, buses. Do things on the cheap, and get cheap theater and cheap results.
The one result that's not as cheap: Now, you pay more taxes to sanctuary cities.
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Vineyard Gazette:
Migrants Return to Vineyard a Year Later for Heartfelt Reunion
On Sept. 9, almost a year to the day since 49 migrants landed on Martha’s Vineyard unexpectedly, Islanders hosted a quiet reunion for the asylum seekers who have since scattered across the country. There outside St. Andrew’s parish house, volunteers and migrants reunited over food, music and lawn games — a far cry from the emergency response that had initially brought them together.
Co-organizer and Island-based immigration attorney Rachel Self said she was taken aback by the interest.
“We thought maybe five of them would want to come back,” she said. “All 49 said they wanted to come back.”
Within a few weeks, the organizers had been able to secure enough host families to house every guest, and enough private donations to cover travel expenses.
As attendees trickled into the potluck, many hugged, laughed and showed off their improved English or Spanish. Some remarked how tall the children had gotten as they played rounds of cornhole in the parish house parking lot.
“I feel like everybody’s more relaxed,” Ms. Lima said. “You’re not getting to know their tragic story, now you’re like, ‘Oh, what do you do for work?’”
Matthew 25:35,40:
“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
...The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.‘”
Leviticus 19:34:
“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”
Way, way back in 2022, Republicans opposed appropriations to fund additional Border Patrol agents and operations, additional personnel at ports of entry, and between-the-ports technology to prevent illegal entry.
But ha ha, buses. Do things on the cheap, and get cheap theater and cheap results.
The one result that's not as cheap: Now, you pay more taxes to sanctuary cities.
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