What Does It Mean To Be A Citizen?

To the editor: All of us - regardless of political leaning - want to be kind, helpful, and compassionate to our fellow human beings. I count many immigrants among my friends, and I admire their work ethic, humility, and desire for a better life. I support them, and I believe they deserve dignity and respect.

But there is also a vital question we cannot ignore: What does it mean to be a citizen?
Nantucket has, for years, openly fostered and harbored large numbers of undocumented immigrants, often with the encouragement of local officials and institutions. While the intentions may be noble, the long-term consequences of ignoring immigration law and bypassing citizenship are profound.

Citizenship in a republic like ours is not just a legal status—it is a responsibility. It means knowing the history of this nation, understanding its Constitution, and engaging in the civic life of the country. It requires effort and commitment, and it should never be treated as irrelevant or optional.

Unfortunately, some on the political left - and others regardless of affiliation - seem less concerned with fostering true citizenship and more focused on rapidly expanding the population with individuals they believe will either vote a certain way or, perhaps more importantly, work for low wages in substandard conditions without complaint. That’s not compassion. It’s political engineering—and, in many cases, capitalistic exploitation driven by greed.

We must strike a balance: compassion with accountability, inclusion with civic responsibility. America should remain a beacon to those seeking freedom - but not at the expense of the rule of law or the meaning of citizenship.

Sincerely,
Charles Dundee
Nantucket / South Florida