Letter: We stand in support and solidarity with our immigrant friends and neighbors

Recent comments by two elected officials in the Fargo area deserve further reflection. Prior to the city-wide ward system vote, Rep. Desiree Morton and Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnburg claimed that moving toward such a system would result in our community being taken over by "too many imports who do not support our way of life" because of their supposed un-American values. Rep. Morton further asserted that local politicians erred in working with respected Muslim leaders in our community because Islam is not a religion, but an ideology built on invasion. We, the board members of the Interfaith Alliance North Dakota, push back against these hurtful accusations, and stand in support and solidarity with our immigrant friends and neighbors. Our state, and our country, have been strengthened by generations of immigrants from all corners of the world. Immigrant families are driving innovation in research, education and business creation. They are critical partner