All vulnerable human beings deserve our concern

To the Times:

I have great sympathy for immigrants. Years ago, I worked at a group home with disabled men. Several of my coworkers were immigrants from Liberia who had fled from a brutal civil war.

On April 17, I read an interesting but disturbing article in Our Sunday Visitor newspaper about the many difficulties faced by immigrant farmworkers. President Trump is noted for a reasonable opposition to illegal immigration, which I share. I voted for him primarily because he’s pro-life on abortion. However, I disagree with his generally negative views regarding the countries from which many people emigrate from to our nation. I also believe that some illegal immigrants are so desperate that they have no choice but to seek refuge in our nation.

Certainly, the people who work hard in fields to put food on our tables are essential workers. Unfortunately, the Trump administration may lower the wages of immigrant “guest workers, which I oppose. I’m a native-born American, but I understand the challenges faced by low-paid workers. As a young man who worked with disabled adults, I was only paid $3.50 an hour. This was slightly above the $3.35 minimum wage in 1981.

Finally, I’m very concerned about the lack of health care (even basic sanitation like running water) for many if not most immigrant farmers. This is especially important now given the coronavirus pandemic.

My brother has a physician friend who volunteered in New York treating patients with COVID-19, and she contracted the disease. Fortunately, she recovered. I admire her for commitment caring for such ill patients. But as a doctor, she likely had access to personal protective equipment and presumably has good health care. Please, let’s extend our concern for people to include immigrant farm laborers as well as.the unborn and other vulnerable human beings.

Tim Donovan, Prospect Park