Dear Editor,

When an undocumented immigrant commits a crime, it’s unfortunate that some people seize the opportunity to generalize and unfairly label all immigrants. They overlook the countless immigrants who come to contribute positively to this country, enriching our society with their hard work and dedication. For every immigrant who strays from the path, there are thousands of individuals who embody honesty and strong principles. Take, for example, the Latino immigrants who bravely helped put out some of the houses that were burning in the Los Angeles fires, some of whom are undocumented.

It’s disheartening that certain media outlets often ignore their inspiring actions, as they do not fit the negative narrative some choose to promote for political gain. In stark contrast, an undocumented immigrant setting fires on Christmas trees and garbage cans received extensive media coverage.

We must unite in demanding compassion and understanding from those who refuse to see beyond the negative portrayals of immigrants. Immigrants are not a threat; they are, in reality, a tremendous blessing to our nation. Immigrants are a vital part of what makes America great! Pope Francis says: “We cannot think of migrants as a problem. They are individuals who have faces, names, and stories.”

Fr Misael Avila