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Anti-immigration
cycle creates problem for high school
students
Our
view
Even
in the modern age one can see history
is doomed to repeat itself. The problems
of another time will arise again to haunt
a new generation.
Such is the case with immigration. The Native Americans did not want the Europeans
trampling over sacred lands. The Protestants did not welcome the Irish Catholics
escaping famine in their Emerald Isle. Floridians did not embrace the Cubans
risking their lives on rafts to escape Castro’s communist regime.
Today we see that some don’t desire the company of a new people: Latino
immigrants.
Consider the recent example of four Hispanic students. They were not creating
havoc, but rather traveling abroad as a part of science fair competition near
Buffalo, New York. They came to compete with their very own solar-powered boat.
When making a side trip to Canada, Federal Agents aggressively questioned the
students, and allegedly made some racially offensive remarks about their heritage.
The incident became evidence in an order for the student’s deportation.
However, a judge recently dropped the interrogation evidence and the deportation
case has been dropped.
Conservative thinking sees illegal immigration, such as this case with the
students primarily in a legal light and ultimately believes anyone here illegally
should not be here. Come legally or do not come at all.
For many conservatives, the illegal immigration matter is not necessarily a
racially motivated one. They simply wish to see the laws of our country being
followed, regardless of ethnicity. Others however use the law to shield their
undercurrents of bigotry.
A conservative mind might argue in this case that the judge should not have
dropped the interrogation evidence because the students broke the law. Such
thought might also provide points that illegals receive welfare and free healthcare
and cost the economy millions.
All the while a conservative might tout the illegal nature of the illegal immigrant’s
presence, using it as a flagpole to hold up an entire tent of ideas.
Perhaps it’s time to shed some new light or at least provide alternate
evidence, on this recurring illegal phenomenon.
According to an article titled “Defending the Unwelcome Stranger: The
Truth About Immigration,” by Tim Wise, the conservative talking points
detracting illegal immigration are flat out wrong. Immigrants are less likely
to receive welfare money than the native-born. They do not drain the economy,
but rather support its structure and provide their employers extra profit due
to receiving low wages.
Most immigrants come to America to find work from countries that did not provide
them ample opportunities for a basic living. The crux of the matter is that
many Latinos, as well as immigrants of other ethnicities, come to America to
seek a better life.
They want to bring food to the table and a chance of prosperity for their children.
They follow the basic rules of survival like anyone else, regardless of race,
color or creed.
Hopes for a better life in America are so strong that so many are willing to
cross deserts and mountains just to get here. Some even die under exhaustion
from the heartless sun, never realizing the chance for better lives so many
of us take for granted.
As an example consider the work ethic of two Mexican immigrants from a recent
San Diego Union Tribute article. A community posted a sign saying, “No
wanderers allowed” near a popular immigrant congregating spot.
When interviewed about the sign, one of the Mexicans replied they were not
beggars and just wanted work. To them, beggars and wanderers were the same
thing and they did not feel the sign applied to them.
The students under deportation review were not beggars or wanderers either.
They were exemplary high school students, entering the science fair alongside
people who we normally associate with the cast of “Revenge of the
Nerds.” They deserve a fair chance to succeed in this country despite
their illegal status. No law should deny them that opportunity.
It’s very easy to tout against illegals while working high-paying jobs
and residing in comfortable homes. It’s not easy to actually be illegal
while working a low-paying job and living in a field, hoping one day things
will be better.
America should extend its generosity while providing immigrants ways to fix
their illegal status. America has been given the tired and poor and with its
resources can make the wrong right again. |
