Reports of tens of thousands of people from Syria, Libya and other countries flooding into Europe as they attempt to escape strife at home have been all over the news for several days. Their stories tug at Americans’ heartstrings. Especially wrenching were pictures of the body of a 3-year-old child, washed up on a beach after he and his mother drowned in an attempt to reach Europe.

But what of the horrors many people trying to reach our country have endured? Have we so quickly forgotten how many children from Central and South America suffered crossing our southern border? How many tiny bodies lie in the deserts there, unseen by photographers or anyone else?

President Barack Obama reportedly is weighing what, if anything, the United States should do to provide humanitarian assistance to the immigrants in Europe. Of course, we will and should do something. That, really, is who we Americans are.

At the same time, we must not forget our own immigration problems. Our nation is struggling to deal with millions of illegal immigrants – as fairly and compassionately as we can. For years, immigration policy has been a haphazard affair rather than a carefully thought-out program.

We can help the immigrants in Europe, too. But we also should be getting our own house in order.