The dramatic move by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to fly recent immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard has captured the headlines. Immigration to the U.S. is a divisive issue, and in this letter, I would like to share an idea that does not ‘solve’ the issue, but might lessen some of the confusion. God knows, we need some new ideas and some fresh suggestions. And in doing so, I want to offer an idea that addresses another national problem — the future of small, under-enrolled liberal arts colleges throughout the country. What follows is a suggestion that brings together two powerful problems in American culture in 2022. These colleges face a crisis as the nation rethinks the role of the four-year private college experience. Tuition is high; a future of debt for the students is a serious issue. Enrollments have been falling. My suggestion is radical. Basically, I would like to remodel these colleges into “welcome centers” for newly arrived refugees. These institutions offer housing, food services, classroom space and even recreational space. If their leadership is willing to rethink their traditional mission, these colleges could be an ideal center to identify these new arrivals — to train them in essential English, to train them in skills (needed by a shrinking labor force), show them American culture, and give them time to help them connect to communities that would welcome them. Don’t think in terms of four-year degrees or even credit hours; but rather a reasonable time frame in which they can obtain identity credentials and time enough for social services and NGO’s to help them with placements. Are there problems with this suggestion? Of course there are. These institutions will have to rethink themselves. The communities in which they are located will have to be supportive. Funding for teachers, trainers, administrators etc. will have to come from somewhere. But perhaps immigration can be thought of not just as a problem, but as an opportunity as well.
Stuart P. Salomon
Ware