1889 = 2024
Over the weekend, I watched the newly released film Cabrini, which made me wonder why we continue to be surprised when current leaders talk about immigrants the way they do. The film tells the story of Italian immigrant Francesca Cabrini “on a daring journey to persuade the hostile mayor to provide housing and healthcare for hundreds of orphaned children.” Immigration, hostile mayor, and lack of housing. So 1889, and so 2024.
The face of new immigration changes but the sentiment remains the same. In one scene, the Archbishop discourages Mother Cabrini from moving forward on a project to care for immigrants, saying “This problem will be with us in a hundred years. Some things never change.” How prescient.
I wrote a longer reflection on immigration, which you can read here. The work continues.
And as a little present, here’s a picture from 20+ years ago, my official headshot as Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs. Enjoy.
Sayu