Liberty, Whose Papers Have Yet to Be Checked On 28 October 1886, Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty in New York. She had arrived from France in 214 crates. Back then, they called it a gift of friendship. She has stood in the harbour for 140 years. She does not argue, vote or make statements. Perhaps that is why she has remained every American administration’s favourite symbol of freedom. These days, however, she might have reason to worry about her papers. Two ICE agents arrive. Country of origin? France. Method of entry? By ship, in crates. Immigration status? No record. The tablet in her left hand bears the date of American independence. One agent makes a note: foreigners should not lecture America about freedom. The torch is even more suspicious. For 140 years it has shown newcomers the way in. One agent suggests pointing the light outwards instead. The other looks for handcuffs. None are big enough, but that is merely a technical problem. Deportation proceedings begin. Destination: France. She is offered voluntary departure. The statue does not move. The report records a refusal to cooperate. Washington, meanwhile, insists that America is still the land of the free. Everyone remains free. The authorities are free to decide who may stay. Everyone else is free to leave. Then the estimate for her removal arrives. Sending Liberty back would cost too much. The proceedings are temporarily suspended. So Liberty may stay. Not on legal grounds, but on budgetary ones.