We were all shocked to hear of the hit and run driver in Clive who allegedly steered her car into a 14-year old girl because she believed her to be “Mexican.” How unlike Iowans. How out-of-step with our values, especially at this time of year.

I was once a member of a church active in the Sanctuary Movement and have seen the faces of the undocumented.

For these reasons, I am encouraged by presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg’s immigration plan: “‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me,’ An Immigration Policy for A New Era.”

This 18-page position paper provides concrete details of how we might finally bring about comprehensive immigration reform. What makes it stand out is that it is integrated with the values and vision that have long been a part of his campaign. In the immigration plan, he offers an opportunity for national service by teaching citizenship skills to those seeking to immigrate. Criminal justice reform is a key component of Pete’s immigration reform, just as it is in his “Douglass Plan” for ending racial inequity. As a veteran of the Afghanistan War, Pete knows that we need to reform the Special Immigrant Visa Process to protect Iraqi and Afghan allies from retribution for having assisted us.

Michael Buckman

Cedar Rapids