As a local immigration attorney and a human being, I cannot let Trustee Michelle Twitchell’s disparaging remarks about immigrants in the OBSERVER article (Aug. 19) go unchallenged.

For over 25 years, I have been assisting immigrants to achieve their universal dream of living in peace in the United States.

Like the population at large, immigrants are not a monolith. I cannot vouch for every immigrant to the United States. I can report, however, that I have worked with immigrants from almost every country in the world, and have been deeply enriched by the experience. I have had the honor of working with many immigrants from Mexico and Central America, including asylum seekers fleeing persecution. Contrary to public opinion, they are not seeking a free ride, just a chance to work hard and create a better life for their children. Unauthorized immigrants are not eligible for most public benefits, and even legal immigrants are limited in what they can receive. State level studies have found that unauthorized immigrants pay more in taxes than they use in benefits. Meanwhile, immigrants make enormous contributions as workers and consumers. Rather than demonizing people who risked their lives to come to the United States, I believe we should honor them for loving our country so much. Who among us would not risk life and limb for our children? Most of us did nothing to earn U.S. citizenship, we were simply born lucky. I, for one, can only hope that I would claw my way across any border, ride on the top of a speeding train, swim across a river, and more for the survival and betterment of my children. Those who would not risk it all for their children should reserve their judgment of those who have.

I have not formed an opinion regarding the proposed migrant housing at the former WCA Home, because I do not have enough facts to form an educated opinion. I would need more information about the prospective buyer, who he intends to house at the complex (migrant farm workers? asylum seekers?), what screening process he would use, and more. In my experience, one should not form an opinion based on knee jerk reactions, without knowing the facts. This is universally true, but it is especially true of a Village Trustee. Since the buyer would need a variance to execute his plan, why is it necessary for Trustee Twitchell to engage in hyperbole about dismantling a neighborhood? Why not focus on facts and engage her fellow Trustees in a reasonable debate and vote on whether to grant the needed variance? Making comments about a decrease in property values owing to an influx of perceived undesirables hearkens back to some very ugly times in our nation’s history. I never would have expected such comments from an elected Democrat in Fredonia in 2023.

One final note: These are my personal opinions, and do not reflect the opinion of any local group of which I am a member. Also, I only handle asylum cases on a pro bono basis and do not stand to benefit financially from any proposed migrant housing in Fredonia.

Sheila T. Starkey Hahn, Esq., is a Fredonia resident.