Opinion | CMC: Appreciation for our immigrant families

With many families in our area being immigrants, we want to show our appreciation for those who have long contributed to our workforce, to our community, and within our schools. It was not too long ago when, locally, we felt the effects of the issues currently facing our nation. We want to show our solidarity and our thanks to the immigrant people within our community. Many immigrant families who keep our community running are currently living with high anxiety. We have hard working people not going into their jobs, and we have children missing school classes, all out of fear that they will be judged based on their status or skin color. In a town that has historically shown pride in its diversity of food, architecture and differing cultures, we have the responsibility to stand up for our immigrant neighbors. This is not an immigration issue. This is a community issue, and it can be fixed.

You can show your support by recognizing the contributions immigrants have made within our county, making it the beautiful place that it is. Those in our community can take a hands-on approach and get involved with groups such as Mountain Dreamers and Voices Unidas. A strong community should be based on trust and safety for everyone. It should not be based on fear or shame. Our goal should be to keep families together and acknowledge that immigrants are what keep our community alive and thriving.

Andy Asher, Laura Castillo Castellanos, Christopher Kearney, Joseline Garcia Parra, and Davide Settembre

CMC Human Services Department

Edwards, Colorado