We all want to live and raise our children in a safe place. Two immigrant parents thought they came to the United States for exactly that, only to have their dreams dashed in March. 

A Columbus mom born in Somalia and wearing a hijab was attacked by her own neighbors outside her home. The Columbus police know who her attackers are; they even interviewed them, and the assault was caught on video. But still, no charges have been filed. A Houston, Texas teen, born in Afghanistan, was brutally assaulted by her classmates. She spent days in the hospital and was discharged with a neck brace. She’s justifiably afraid of returning to school.

These were violent, anti-Muslim acts targeting a girl and a woman who did nothing wrong. Said the Houston teen’s father, “I heard about the United States. That there is freedom, there’s education, there’s law.” And then his daughter was attacked.

Said the Columbus mother, “We’re all created by God and we’re all the same. We should all be treated the same way. They should not be doing this to someone else.” That’s why she spoke up and bravely called the police. But weeks later, she’s still waiting for justice.

Meanwhile, a lawyer for the mass murderer who killed 23 people at an El Paso Walmart said his client acted to stop “the Hispanic invasion of Texas.” According to attorney Joe Spencer, his client “thought he had to stop the invasion because that’s what his president was telling him, which is just not rational.”

The Houston father and Columbus mother are right. The United States should be a place where they can start over in safety and raise their families. And the Texas lawyer is right, too. His client’s anti-immigrant worldview is not rational. But it is being incited, encouraged, and excused by the occupant of the White House and his entire team. 

Still, there are many people in the United States who do not want us to be this version of our country. 

Deqa Haji, Executive Director of Zamzam Women & Family Center, is supporting the Columbus mom in her journey to seek justice. She said, “No mother should fear violence after dropping her kids off at the school bus. This brutal attack against an Ohio mom is heartbreaking and unacceptable. Similarly, the Columbus Division of Police’s poor handling of this case is concerning. Immigrant families come to this country seeking safety and opportunity. They deserve to feel secure in their homes and communities.”

Added Ali Hussein, President of United Bantu of Ohio, “We are shaken by this attack and are working around the clock to help our sister obtain justice. Let’s be clear, this was a violent hate crime. What isn’t clear is what’s being done to bring these assailants to justice. It’s been nearly two weeks since we met with the Columbus police, yet no one has been arrested and we have yet to receive answers to our questions.” 

Our families and communities deserve better. Anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant racism breaks bones and breaks hearts. It kills, and it has to end. We have to end it.

-----------------------

Lynn Tramonte and the Ohio Immigrant Alliance can be reached here.