3/18/21

By Lee Goodman

Joe,

Here's the thing: you gotta let those parents come across the border with their kids. It isn't working having the kids come alone. They're scared. They miss their parents. We've got to get those families back together, and quickly.

I know you thought you'd have more time, but you don't. They're coming too fast. And there is a reason, and it's a good reason. They are coming because life is really hard for them where they come from. You know what it's like for a father to have to move his family to a new city so he can have work. Your dad moved your family when you were just a kid. It was tough – tough on you and your mom and everyone. You understand your dad wouldn't have put everyone through that hardship if he didn't have to.

I know how hard you, and Vice-President Harris, and the First Lady and the Second Gentleman have been working to fix the problems at the border. You've appointed good people, smart people. They've been working around the clock, and they've done so much already. I hope the American people realize how dedicated and effective your administration has been. You were left with a real mess by the prior administration and you are cleaning it up so that America can once again be what America is supposed to be. The Republicans in Congress, a lot of them, aren't helping at all. But you have rolled up your sleeves and are doing what needs to be done. You can look any one of the immigrants in the eye and tell them you care, because you do, you really do.

Life is tough sometimes. Life throws things at you. But sometimes you get a break, and you have gotten one. Because the scientists and the doctors now know that we don't need to stop people from coming over the border because of COVID. We have been testing, and we now know that the immigrants are less likely to have COVID than the people in Texas. The immigrants aren't a public health threat. And we can test them, and quarantine them, and vaccinate them. So we can control this thing. We didn't know that when COVID was new and Trump closed the border. We weren't even sure of it when you first took office. But now we know. We can open up the border for asylum seekers again, just like before, and let those parents come across with their families, and at the same time keep everyone safe and healthy.

I know you never wanted to separate children. I know you have compassion for them. That's why you have been letting them come across. But now you can let their parents in, too. You would never lie to the American people. The people believe you when you say you follow the science, so let people know that is what you are going to do. The science says let the immigrants in. The greatest and noblest parts of American history says let people in. All of our faiths teach us to let the immigrants in and be kind to the stranger and to protect and cherish families. Everyone knows how important those teachings are to you, and how you have tried to follow them your entire life.

I put a picture of Beau, Ashley, and Hunter at the top of this note. You didn't have enough time with Beau, Naomi, and Neilia. You know, as too many people know, how precious time with the ones we love is.

Letting the immigrants in will be messy. But we can do it. I really believe that. It has never been a good idea to bet against America. There is nothing we can't do when we do it together.

God bless you. God bless America, and may God protect our troops.