Monday, July 2, 2018 7:42 AM

The woman tilts back in her chair, closes her eyes, and moves her hands together then apart. "I've been here for decades and seen these people come and go. You and I, we came here because we're committed to the land. But some of these others? They only came here to work. Some work only as hard as they need to, to avoid being sent home, to Moldova, to Ghana, to wherever. I've never even heard of some of the places they're from. Some decide to stay, some because it's better here, some because it's so much worse where they're from, poor places, dangerous places. Many of them put in the hard work, put in the sweat, and earn a way to belong here. It's hard for them, living here, and they'll never be like us. We're here because we believe in being here, returning to our home. There's a place for them, too, I guess. But not like us." She opens her eyes and looks at me. I give a noncommittal nod.