Immigrant Tales

Rumblings

Well, I am an immigrant. I don’t know if someone will find this post of mine and will deport me for writing my thoughts down under some or the other allegation. However, here I am, in the middle of history in the making and all I want is to be able to say my piece and log my journey for my grandkids to read someday.

This election was the very first one that I have witnessed as a resident of the US. I was so surprised and somewhat taken aback by it. I didn’t know that the politicians put each other down in such a public way- it was disturbing to witness and I found myself embarrassed for both parties. One reason I was watching was because I wanted to educate myself, and the second reason was- well, it was entertaining in a way. I didn’t binge on it, just caught up on news now and then. When election day came, I found myself keeping my fingers crossed that whoever wins would have our best interests at heart. I remembered the fear that immigrants had during DT’s previous reign, and even as we were getting ready to immigrate, we were glad that the other party won that election as there appeared to be a little more flexibility and softness with the process. We jumped through every hoop we were asked to, paid our dues, took almost 2 years to make sure we followed every protocol. We got lucky that our process worked out during the Biden administration and even though we had reapply for a new GC ( that’s a story for another day), it seemed like they rushed to get it to us before the December elections. I feel so grateful for that grace.

I was pleasantly surprised to note that at my workplace people really refrained from any political conversation – or, I was not included in those. Either way, it served me well. I could hardly believe it when DT won- to see him get elected again made me a little nervous as I live in a Red State. One of his main agendas was anti-immigrants, and I had only just started to feel a little settled about my status here as a resident after getting my card in hand. It seemed unfair that the feeling was so shortlived. On the other hand, I was excited to see what he would do, his promises were grand, and the social media posts of some FB friends were rife with how the prices were going to come down, and the country was going to be free of riff raffs. I was excited about not feeling poor when I went grocery shopping, and being able to buy some more leafy greens without feeling like I was robbing Peter to pay Paul. And quite frankly, some astrologers I follow had plainly predicted DT would win. Some were vague, saying that regardless of who wins, they are being chosen for troubled waters. I worry for the US, and for the people here, and for the wellness of everyone. It’s been about a month since the election and already there has been so much uncertainty in the immigrant community, it feels unreal and there is a part of the heart that cries out- enough.

Something within me that I cannot grasp yet feels the rumblings of the shaking up of the old world order, and that something which I know is the part that is connected to the web of life knows it is all a plan of God, and therein lies my certitude and stillness. I need to lean into that more, and not buy into what seems like reality, because as a Baha’i I know that this has to happen for the God’s plans, all of this is going to make sense and it does get worse before it gets better. I pray that I do not falter when the going gets tough, and that I stand strong and continue to do what I am put here on earth to do.