Decision in 1939 can teach us about refugees
Eighty years ago this summer, the SS St. Louis left Germany and set sail for Cuba. Of the almost thousand refugees who embarked on this journey, all shared the same collective hope: to be safe and protected as they fled persecution and war in Nazi Germany. My grandfather was one of them.
When the passengers were denied permission to disembark in Cuba, their hope was shattered. The world watched as the SS St. Louis sat in international waters for more than a month while they debated its fate. As the passengers waited, the United States made a decision to close our ports, and ultimately, turn our backs on vulnerable refugees, forcing them to return to Europe. In June 1939, the SS St. Louis reached Belgium, where hundreds of refugees eventually perished, with many tragically ending up in concentration camps. From that day on, this event has been a stain on America’s history.
Today, we have the opportunity to be on the right side of history and provide a safe place for children fleeing violence and poverty in Central America. Last week it was reported that kids detained at a migrant shelter in Texas were being held in inhumane conditions and denied basic sanitation.
These actions are detrimental, with vulnerable children’s physical and mental wellbeing on the line. As a mother, I can imagine no greater pain than to have my own child held in similar conditions. Ultimately, innocent children are paying the price.
When children are denied the right to basic sanitation, they are deprived of the right to good health. Proper hand washing is an easy, effective and affordable practice that helps save lives. However, if a child is denied access to soap or hand washing, there’s a breeding ground for disease — including influenza and diarrhea, illnesses that can be life-threatening, especially among younger children, who are most vulnerable.
Basic sanitation also has benefits that go beyond physical health. It promotes dignity and mental wellness, two things children need most when in a new or stressful environment such as a migrant shelter. Above all, children need to feel safe and protected.
We wouldn’t deny our own children the right to basic sanitation. As Americans, how can we allow these conditions to become the new norm for children uprooted from their homes? All children, no matter where they come from or what their migration status, have the right to be protected, have access to essential services and be with their families. Both sides of the aisle need to continue to put children first and politics second.
Immigration is a complex issue that affects multiple facets of development and security, both domestically and internationally. This was true in 1939; it remains true today. However, as aid organizations and policymakers continue to address the ongoing needs of children migrating to our country, it is evident that our systems must foster the opportunity for children to be safe, healthy and protected. At present, I know the current conditions in migrant shelters will inflict irreparable damage on children crossing our border.
We cannot continue to make children the innocent victims of the politics of adults. Our future, and theirs, cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of our past.