I have always wondered what would happen if we put a name, a face and a story on the illegal immigration debate. It is so easy to address a group of people and discuss what or how they should be dealt with when we do not know who they are, where they live or what they do. Most of us have heard the story of the criminal illegal immigrant who has killed a cop in our city and is a repeat offender who flees the country after he gets out of jail and then swims back in to commit another crime.
What if the illegal immigrant owned your local dry cleaner? what if they were your most valuable employee? what if they watched your children? what if they bagged your groceries? what if they owned your favorite restaurant? The majority of the illegal immigrants did not jump a fence or swim across the seas, the majority of them came to the US legally for a better life and discovered what they thought was an easy path to a green card would be the hardest journey they will ever take. Many of them have chosen not to take the many paths for easy resolution and keep hoping that something will happen soon to help them realize their dreams. Some immigrants got their ticket from many hopeful villagers who gave sacrificially to help them fulfill this dream. Many of these same people are stuck they can get their ailing parents much needed medical care, food and decent housing with the hard knock life of being illegal as opposed to returning home with no hopes of making the same livelihood. Many if them wonder; How can they just go back? What will happen to all the people that depend on them?
Then there is the other face of illegal immigrants; the college students from a developing country. They come here in hope for a bright future with a great education which takes years to complete while paying international fees. Only to graduate and find out that the one or two year employment card does not guarantee them a job. Others find out that the one or two semesters they were out if school put them out of status and therefore they do not qualify for the employment card. Many people consider going back to their home country at that point but struggle with how far behind they are from their peers. They want to stay a little while to catch up and save some money. Months become years and before they know it, they have responsibilities and families who have no concept of the mental battles they face. Others did all the right things and stayed in school, got their employment card and H1B sponsorship and then lost their job. They are immediately out of status and have just bought their first house.
I understand and respect the law and do not believe in breaking it. I am not advocating for illegal immigration but I am acknowledging it is a serious problem that needs to be resolved without the pressures of being elected to a next term or being isolated from a political party. When we find out a family member is in trouble and is doing drugs or is having difficulty coping, we get them help and they take steps to get better. There may be a few bad apples but most illegal immigrants are people just like you and me who have dreams and hopes for their children. They are your neighbors, your servers, your local florist, your barber, your nanny etc. Some of them like Jose had no idea they were illegal because their parents believed the media portrayal of America as the land of milk and honey where green-cards grow on trees.
Some current issues facing illegal immigrants in some states
- They cannot renew their driver's license
- They cannot get their cars registered
- They cannot be given rides by others
- They cannot insure their cars because of lack of registration and a current license
- They cannot get a decent job except under the table
- The live in constant fear of the future
How does this make it safer for them and for the American citizens?
Listen to Jose Antonio Vargas as he tells this familiar story.
Let's talk, let's debate and let's get all of our feelings out here but for goodness sake let us do something!!
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