America: land of the free
Or so it used to be

We had a dream
That no matter who you are
No matter where you come from
You can come to America, create a new life
Prosper, thrive, make your dreams come true

We were given a national monument
Which we proudly display on our shores,
A shining beacon that slashes through the darkness
Welcoming weary travelers, providing refuge for those in need.
“Give me your tired, your poor,
your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
the wretched refuse of your teeming shore”
But  now, we’ve shut our door

America: land of the free
Immigrants and refugees send you their pleas

Airports, new scenes of oppression and heartache
Green Card holders and dual citizens held captive behind their walls,
Or sent back to “where they belong”

Silver tears snaking down bronze cheeks
Parents and relatives seeking to reunite with children and loved ones across miles of cerulean sea
Hoping to take them away from a life of ash, blood, and flames
But afraid
Afraid that should they cross that shining sea, to the horrors they once knew
They and their loved ones would be restrained
And be denied their right to return to the land of red, white, and blue
For if you are a native of one of the banned countries, you must surely remain
I ask you: How can any of this be humane?

We’ve broken our promises and shattered our dream
Our very own people we reject
We’ll lock ourselves behind doors and barricade ourselves behind walls
Alienating the very people we promised to harbor and protect

America: land of the free
Something that was, and may no longer be