To the editor:

In 1938, under the Nazi regime, Jewish children were forced to wear the Star of David to publicly mark their religious and ethnic identity. The six-pointed yellow star was affixed to clothing and quickly became a tool of fear and control across much of Europe under Third Reich domination. Refusal to comply carried severe consequences, including imprisonment or death. Many children and families were ultimately deported to places from which they never returned — what survivors would later describe as “never-never land.”

Nearly ninety years later, reports from Minneapolis describe a similar troublingly scene. Children are wearing their U.S. passports around their necks so they can quickly prove their citizenship if questioned by immigration authorities. Accounts suggest this practice is becoming more common.

When American children must visibly carry proof of belonging, it raises serious questions about the political/social climate in which we live. For some, current federal immigration practices evoke horrendous memories and emotions associated with World War II: uncertainty, insecurity, isolation and fear.

We must exercise our right and the responsibility to critically examine the short- and long-term consequences of public policy. Beyond reflection, civic engagement matters. Advocating for humane approaches and voting in all elections are essential tools in shaping a society grounded in dignity and compassion.

Dorothy Fox

St. Louis County