By Kathy Blalock Molinar
As I contemplate Attorney General Ken Paxton’s attack on Annunciation House, a nonprofit organization that assists immigrants in need, I am reminded that it is Lent. So my frustration must be filtered through the appropriate lens of the season. Perhaps nothing can serve better than the words of Jesus himself in Matthew 12:34-37:
“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Truly, the words regarding border issues from Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott speak volumes to the content of far too many hearts. I cannot think of a better scripture to address this appalling war on immigrants.
The war on the least among us, on those who are homeless and stateless, suffering like Lazarus at our gate, shows us what kind of place they want Texas to become.
It’s time for the people of our state to turn over the proverbial tables in the temple. We must speak up not only for those immigrants who are being persecuted, but for those good Samaritans who are assisting those in need. Places like Annunciation House serve our immigrant brothers and sisters and thereby also serve the greater El Paso and border area.
This attack on nonprofit assistance organizations at the border is nothing more than thinly veiled Christian persecution worthy of Herod himself. The Christianity that welcomes the stranger, feeds the poor, and heals the sick is a far cry from the words and actions coming from our politicians.
The state of Texas, whose heritage includes almost 500 years of Spanish-speaking immigrants, is conducting an all-out attack on migrants and asylum seekers. Razors on buoys in the Rio Grande that could drown people? Check. Border policies that will likely result in racial profiling? Check. Inflammatory rhetoric against immigrants that encourages extremists? They opened the door wide open. Ignoring the federal government and the Supreme Court in open defiance of the U.S. Constitution? Check.
Where does this lawlessness and cruelty end?
Rather than actually solve the problem, Paxton, Abbott, and far too many politicians use border issues as performance art to showcase what can only be described as a particularly odious display of hatred and prejudice.
Texas, my home for over 45 years, is a beautiful, welcoming, multicultural place that showcases the best America has to offer. Our border communities perfectly illustrate the Texas spirit: independence, perseverance, and a can-do attitude.
Places like El Paso have shown us time and again the generosity of those who welcome the stranger. The people of Texas are so much better than these baseless attacks on servants of God, better than those who embolden prejudice and suspicion towards those seeking safety in the arms of Lady Liberty.
A great nation, a great state, is built on the strength of the diversity of its people. All voices, backgrounds and religions contribute to make us the envy of the world. The small-minded attitudes coming out of our Texas politicians are not befitting the good people of our state. We must demand better, and we must stand in support of those like the hard-working volunteers of Annunciation House.
Kathy Blalock Molinar has a blog on motherhood, politics and faith. She is a former El Paso business broker and appraiser.
