Photo by MattyFilms
Protestors opposed to Trump's travel ban gathered outside Lambert–St. Louis International Airport on Sunday, January 29.
When your family is from sub-Saharan Africa, immigration policy is not an abstract issue. Even if you're only 11-years-old.
This past year, I coached the fifth grade St. Frances Cabrini boys soccer team. In October, I drove four of the players to Quik Trip after a particularly painful 3–2 loss in a Catholic Youth Council recreational soccer game. To change the mood, I posed this question: “If you could vote in the November election, who would you vote for?"
The answer was quick: “Hillary.”
"Why?"
This answer was quicker: “We don’t want to go back to Africa.”
With the recent imposition of the travel ban, their October anxiety may appear prescient—though only one of the boys has a link to a country mentioned in the ban. They all have permanent-resident green cards, which were needed to obtain the much-coveted Catholic Youth Council identification card.
One of them pointed out that even presidents can't always do what they want. "There's the Supreme Court," a voice came from the back seat, either from Kontale, Abdoul, or Solomon, whose countries of origin are Ethiopia, Gabon, and Sudan, respectively.
All three of the boys attend a city public school, so they—along with thousands of immigrants and refugees who have settled in St. Louis—will be affected by the actions of the new mayor elected this spring. Last year alone, the International Institute, a non-profit that helps refugees resettle in St. Louis, helped 1,037 refugees move to St. Louis. 267 of those were from Syria.
Fortunately for these individuals, many of the mayoral candidates appear to be on their side. The leading candidates are big on either making St. Louis a “sanctuary city” or doing whatever is necessary to protect immigrants and refugees.
Alderman Lyda Krewson is currently ahead in most polls. She calls President Donald Trump’s executive order that targets and deports immigrants “despicable.”
"I believe our diversity is our strength, and we are a welcoming city,” Krewson says. “Of course I support St. Louis becoming a sanctuary city. We need to understand the impact of that policy on the funding, which protects our most vulnerable citizens. We have to do it right."
City Treasurer Tishaura Jones told the 15th Ward Democratic Club on January 26 that she was also in favor of making St. Louis a sanctuary city. “Attracting and retaining immigrants is critical to regional growth,” she explained. “Immigrants should be seen as an asset, not a burden. The city must devote resources to helping new Americans feel at home in St. Louis. That's why making sure St. Louis is a sanctuary city—no matter who tells us not to—is part of my platform. I've reached out to Mayor [Bill] de Blasio of New York to ask how we can follow his lead."
Jones praised those who protested at Lambert–St. Louis International Airport over the weekend. She told the audience that, as mayor, she will open an Office of New Americans that ensures immigrants are able to access city services, job training, and employment. She also wants to implement a municipal ID program, so that "all residents of St. Louis will be able to come out of the shadows."
Alderman Antonio French has introduced an aldermanic resolution that supports St. Louis becoming a sanctuary city. He has asked the city counselor’s office to explore legal options related to that status.
French’s spouse, Jasenka Benac French, is originally from Bosnia. “My wife and her family came to this country as refugees from the war in Bosnia,” French says. “Welcoming immigrants is part of our core identity as Americans. As mayor, I will fight to protect all St. Louisans and make sure our city is a safe and welcoming place for all, regardless of national origin, religion, and immigration status.”
