Immigration Reform

Firstly let me dispel a misconception, illegal immigration is not a Mexican or Hispanic issue. This country attracts people from nations all over the world. But since the Mexican diaspora have made themselves the poster children for this particular issue I would be a foolish not to address it the way it is being presented.

The illegal immigrants lost me as a possible ally when Vicente’ Fox said they, “do the jobs that not even the blacks will do.” That day I resolved not to get involved in this madness but the insults continued. Here, in Houston, the misguided high-schoolers likened their “struggle” to be illegal and be afforded the rights of citizens to the struggle of African-American citizens who marched and protested for basic human rights in this country. They called themselves “sleeping giants”, and after a day of boycotting and waving flags of their nations had no effect (except a loss of revenue for Mexican-American businesses) they released what was the final straw for me, the Spanish version of our national anthem. I consider myself a patriot and a gentle-lady but that display of disrespect was the last straw. In a lot of ways this anthem is symbolic of the way these cultures have treated our nation. We are in a sense a test tube for their babies. We provide safety, healthcare, room and board for them but when they are born they will raise the flag of their mother (country). I applaud the right of any citizen to wage lawful protest on any issue of our country but if we continue to allow non-citizens to take to our streets in protest we have done ourselves a great disservice. Why don’t these people demonstrate in the countries of the flags they raise, instead of on our soil? A lot of columnists have asked the question, “Why are we responsible for people who willfully abandon their countries and illegally enter ours?” It is a good question. The answer is simple, we’re not.

I sympathize with the people trying to do things that right way. To the others I say, I’m sorry if our system isn’t fast enough for you but we’re not obligated to accept anyone into our nation. Personally, I welcome any person who wants to be an American, learn the language and contribute to society. Period. To the others I ask, what is the problem with going through the appropriate channels? My deepest belief is that a lot these people do not wish to be American citizens. Instead they want to work here and diminish our economy by sending money home to Mexico (or wherever). I pity these poor people marching and siding with the people who are using them as cheap labor, all the while taking jobs away from American citizens (Yes, Mexican-American, Anglo-America, African-American, Native American…any way you slice it, we are all American).

Dear Mr. Fox:
I know Mexican nationals are hard-working people but this is a country of hardworking people so, among us, they simply blend into the crowd. To clarify, Mexicans don’t do jobs Americans won’t do. They do jobs Americans won’t do for the same minuscule wage. If your people were not here those jobs would get done by Americans who have social security numbers and pay taxes. I hope this clears it all up for you.
-ADJR

Bottom line: Amnesty is an insult to law abiding immigrants who have chosen to follow the laws of this country and go about citizenship the right way. Those who go about being here illegally obviously have no respect for the laws of this land or they would simply follow protocol. Mexican immigrants already have a preference under the current administration (if you doubt that, ask a Haitian). I'm in favor of giving these hardworking people three months to register, and get in line behind immigrants who went about it legally, to begin the legitimate process toward citizenship or be shipped back to wherever they are from. That’s a lot fairer than an illegal American would be treated in any of those countries. If you want to be an American go through the proper steps and channels like any other, would be, naturalized citizen. Learn the language. I’m not saying abandon your culture but let all the other immigrants be your measuring stick. Pick any culture (Chinese, Italian, Indian, Canadian-Americans) we all speak English at work or school and our native tongue at home or in leisure. That is the strength of this nation; we accept all and become all. It’s a melting pot, polarized though it may be at times, but we are one nation derived of many cultures (not many nations in one culture). Furthermore: We raise one national flag, and we speak one national language. This is a land of freedom, and you can choose to adapt to that or be free to choose another country.


The Big Picture:
National security is really what that this immigration reform should be about. Where national security is concerned this is just an American/Mexican issue because the Canadian/American boarder is patrolled by both governments. We need appropriate border security. At the very least, that means a defined border with a fence or some equally effective barrier in place. This country has been launched into terrorism and the plots will probably never stop so we have to protect our citizens. By the same notion Mexico needs to protect their citizens. If the relationship between these countries was not so co-dependant it would be an easy fix. After all, it is in the best interest of both nations.

Dear Mr. President:
The citizens of this country implore you to fulfill your promise to keep us safe, by securing our borders before any other plan involving immigration reform is put into play. When you said, “America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people,” did that only apply to war? If not Mr. President, then think now about our security at home on a comprehensive level. Threats to our nation may come from anywhere and it would be unwise of us not to defend all borders vigorously.

So say the polity,
~A