Left vs. Right: issues of illegal immigration

“Send ‘em all back.We don’t want ‘em here in the first place.”

We’ve heard these words repeatedly over the last couple of weeks as Congress debates the issue of immigration and millions flood the streets of several U.S. cities. Common Americans, as indicated in polls, supported the initial firmer crack-down on illegal aliens.

Thankfully, the Senate Judiciary Committee disagreed, realizing the immigration bills that passed the House, which caused the eruption, were far too severe. For instance, it’s ridiculous to consider those providing illegal family members shelter felons and building a massive fence along the border; these people are not exactly Palestinian suicide bombers, and this should be demonstrated against.

Yes, they’re in our country breaking our laws. This has many Americans scratching their heads and asking one question: What right do they have to be so upset?

Because they are also breaking their backs, asking little pay while being considered inferior by many natural-born citizens in a United States of America they, primarily Mexicans, legal and illegal, are literally building. If you are reading this in a GC&SU classroom or dorm right now, just look out your window, or next time you’re walking to class, put down your cell-phone for a second and take a look at those slaving away in the mud.

Forgive them for leaving their loved ones, dodging the bullets of Texans in the middle of the night and sleeping 12 people to an apartment, just to make ends meet in the richest country in the world.

Like most large-scale problems, the fault lies not with the people, but with those in power, particularly Mexican President Vicente Fox; his government has not only failed to provide its people with an adequate standard of living, but has even encouraged them to cross the border.

But that’s not to say taking action wasn’t long overdue, and there’s just no way to realistically ignore the problem of mass illegal immigration.

Though the vast majority of those who cross the southern border are decent people seeking better lives, there is also the trafficking of children in the lucrative sex trade, as well as the possibility of those affiliated with terrorist networks making their way onto our soil via a neglected Mexican-U.S. border.

The issue should have been seriously addressed long ago, and because it was allowed to escalate further, some in Congress felt compelled to handle the situation too harshly.

Lastly, even those compassionate towards illegal aliens agree they must do their part as well, respecting our laws by taking advantage of new proposals to earn their citizenship. The inevitable backlash will stem from one idea spoken by many of the protesters and broadcasted around the world: Many admitted having no desire to ever consider themselves American. Yes, they should keep their native flag, but also look into buying an American one some day, or at least show some initiative to assimilate. That’s not too much to ask.

Regardless, necesitamos aceptar que ellos son aqui permanacer.

Don’t know any Spanish? You’d better learn quickly.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 7 2006. Filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry