Over the past few months, I have watched with disgust as Donald Trump has systematically and specifically targeted the principles that have inspired millions of immigrants to help build this nation into what it is — the greatest nation on Earth.
I take particular umbrage at his uninformed, paranoid and bigoted comments about immigrants, for not only am I the former Citizenship and Immigration Services ombudsman under the George W. Bush administration, a member of the Republican Party, and a practicing immigration attorney, but like so many of those whom Trump seeks to demonize, I, too, am an immigrant.
The dream of leading a prosperous and fulfilling life in America if one just worked hard enough at it: This is not a stale or hokey stereotype for me. This dream inspired my parents to move our family from Zambia to this great nation in 1976, a year of great significance to me. It was not only the year that I arrived in America, but also the 200th anniversary of the founding of our great nation.
For the past four decades, my family and I have worked tirelessly to contribute our talents and energies to continue to build this nation, whose democratic form of government, laws and principles continue to inspire leaders of other nations around the world to govern their own citizens with dignity and respect.
But through his endless angry, vile and xenophobic pronouncements, the Republican Party’s presidential nominee has made clear that his views do not square with the party mainstream or with our nation’s democratic traditions.
His view of the world is that of an impetuous and uninformed despot, suspicious and fearful of those who do not look like him. His political analysis and proposed “solutions” are those of a demagogue, eager to blame the world’s problems on those who do not share his religion, family heritage or financial status and poised to use an iron fist against those who would oppose him.
Above all else, his campaign for president has devolved into a political farce, a seemingly endless reality TV show that is long on ego, histrionics and schoolyard taunts, but short on rational political discourse. Trump is a political nightmare who is fragmenting the Republican Party. Should he win in November, I fear he would also tear apart the civic fabric of the nation.
I will not remain silent while a political opportunist who claims to adhere to the principles of the Republican Party hijacks my party and attempts to drag our nation back to the Dark Ages. Trump’s repeated statements incite violence, encourage torture, promote discrimination of people based on religion and national origin, and reveal his lack of understanding of basic homeland and national security principles. He is clearly unsuited for any position in government.
But voters, including true Republicans, do have one possibility to avert a national political catastrophe this November.
Hillary Clinton has shown by her service to this nation as first lady of the United States, senator from New York and U.S. secretary of state that she has a far more extensive resume of public service and government leadership than the Republican Party nominee.
Clinton, who previously has competed for and won public office, who made laws in Congress, and who represented and promoted our national interests abroad to friends and foes alike, is far more qualified to hold the office of president of the United States of America than Donald Trump could ever hope to be.
I encourage all citizens, including my fellow Republicans and, in particular, naturalized citizens, to wholeheartedly support and vote for Clinton as president.
It is time to tell the Republican Party nominee, “You’re fired!”
The alternative is a threat to all who have made this nation of immigrants the greatest nation on Earth.
Prakash Khatri, an immigration attorney, managed the Immigration Compliance Department for Walt Disney World before being appointed Citizenship and Immigration Services ombudsman under President George W. Bush.
