I am a second generation member of a family of immigrants who fled Nazi Germany during the period between World War I and World War II. Some members of my family were minor aristocracy in Germany and had many privileges of wealth. But they saw the handwriting on the wall and had to leave Nazi Germany or risk persecution. My great uncle’s mother was a fine lady in Germany, but she became a nurse’s aide in this country because that was what she could do with the language barrier and training she had. Her son became an accountant because of her hard work and diligence. Others in my family fled Germany and became merchants. My grandfather owned a grocery store in this country. All four of his children graduated from college because of his hard work.

Their stories are the stories of today’s immigrants. Scared. Desperate. Hard-working. Many become entrepreneurs, get their kids educated and pay taxes.

As we know from research, most acts of terrorism in this country are committed by white males who are U.S. citizens. Very few immigrants commit serious crimes.

Many of us, other than our first native people, are of immigrant stock.

Please stand with me and my proud immigrant heritage and say no to mass deportations of anyone who has not committed a serious crime. Remember your own immigrant family and their struggles. Please call your member of Congress and tell them to stop these mass deportations.

Edith Haenel

Northwood