Illegal Immigration is such a touchy issue many politicians
prefer not to speak about. If they do, they usually answer in an
anti-Semitic way toward illegal immigrants by talking about ways to
eliminate services to these people.
Illegal Immigration is such a touchy issue many politicians prefer not to speak about. If they do, they usually answer in an anti-Semitic way toward illegal immigrants by talking about ways to eliminate services to these people.
I personally find it very inconsiderate for others to refuse to acknowledge the hard work so many illegal immigrants have contributed to the United States economy and basically the nation in many ways. In fact, the last economic boom can be attributed to them.
People should acknowledge them not only because they are the ones we should thank for raising our fruits and vegetables to make our families grow healthy and strong, but also for making our nation a leading agricultural power in the world and as profitable as it is today.
Many argue that because we have so many immigrants living today in the United States, the nation faces a job crisis where many “U.S. citizens” are left without jobs. I find that absolutely feebleminded.
Do you actually believe “U.S. citizens” would be willing to work at the hard jobs many immigrants do at low pay with no benefits in the fields, yards, construction or as assembly line workers? I certainly don’t. When do you ever find immigrants asking for money on the streets?
Having no money at all, with only the clothing they have on as their personal belongings, these people manage to go day by day seeking work by standing at the side of streets or corners from five to six in the morning, hoping someone will stop their car and offer them a job.
Many say that immigrants are to blame for such economic deficits by taking much of the money the government has to offer as welfare. How can immigrants be to blame when they have just arrived in this country not knowing such programs exist and if they do, many don’t take advantage because of worries of being deported?
Immigrants are loyal customers. They work as few others do, and they pay taxes every time they buy something. “They create business, they impart vitality to the cities where they live, and they contribute an incalculable cultural richness,” as said in the book written by Jorge Ramos, The Other Face of America.
I really don’t understand why there is so much resentment against the illegal immigrant community when the United States is an illegal country of its own. Why such hate? Why not help one another out? Why not accept others just because they don’t have a specific document?
Don’t get me wrong, I do understand that too much immigration can bring many economic problems to our communities, but I still don’t believe it’s right to deny or refuse to provide services to these many hard-working people who should be given at “least” the right to be treated as decent human beings. Not so long ago I heard of a proposal that would eliminate health care attention to any illegal immigrant no matter which state they live in. Not only that, but the proposal also required for the (reporting party) to contact the INS immediately so the immigrant can be deported back to their homeland.
Many politicians today propose many similar proposals such as that of the ultraconservative Pat Buchanan. During a 1995 television interview when running for an unsuccessful presidential candidacy, he said, “I will stop illegal immigration cold by putting a double security fence along the two hundred miles of the border where millions pour in every year.”
I noticed several errors with his statement. First of all, Buchanan said he wanted to put up a double linked fence along two hundred miles of the border, what would he do with the other hundreds of miles? Second, he obviously doesn’t understand that undocumented immigration is a problem of supply and demand of jobs, not laws and fences. And most importantly of all, with such racist views, he would never be president of a multi-cultural country such as the United States.
I believe that what makes this country so beautiful as it is today is its multi-cultural richness. As a minority, I strongly believe that all people should be treated fairly and equally no matter their color or nationality. And now that the presidential elections are so close by, I believe that as a country of minorities and wonderful diverse cultures we all share, we should become well aware of what each presidential candidate has to offer to the immigrant community which makes up so much of what our nation is today.
Cindy Hernandez is a senior at Live Oak, is ASB commissioner of diversity in ASB and features editor on the student newspaper, the Oak Leaf. She alternates writing for Teen Perspective with Yasser Elassal and Courtney Gavin. Contact Cindy at ed******@*************es.com/
