Immigration Denigration
When all else is said and done, the U.S. is a nation of laws. We are governed by these laws and live under them with the understanding that without them, our infrustructure would collapse. Eggregiously, many American citizens have forgotten this aspect of our culture and have even condoned acts of lawlessness in order to benefit their own political agendas. The recent immigration issue is a classic example of such lawlessness run amok.
Even though there are plenty of examples where U.S. citizens and politicians have manipulated and bent laws to work in their favor (Bush, Jack Abramoff, Dick Cheney, Tom Delay, the entire Republican party, etc.) the one thing that keeps us functioning as a nation is that we work under the guise that our laws are meant to protect us.
With that said, I don't feel we need certain "protections" from immigrants. I love the fact that we have fresh, beautiful blood coming in to mix with our already pluralistic society. I love the culture they bring, the spice of life, and of course, the cheap labor that for $1.09 allows me to purchase a Taco Supreme with tomatoes that were picked not more than two days before my teeth seared through their juicy pulp. Besides, the 911 highjackers were all here legally, and not one of them was hispanic.
We forget at times that thanks to these immigrants, prices remain low even during times of great stress on our economy, no wars mentioned here. We also forget that when they do become citizens, they become targets of military recruiters and many of their youth end up serving and protecting our nation heroically.
However, when the day is done, when every shop is closed, we still have laws, and everyone, including immigrants and U.S. businesses who knowingly hire them, are subject to these laws. And, despite Mexican/American history and the notions that our government opprobriously manipulated this land away from Mexico (which they did by the way) , it's still the property of the U.S. Most of today's immigrants that support temporary work permits are currently here illegally or at one point came here illegally. Therefore, since they did not come here legally, they are suspect, and many want to know how we can expect them to follow the laws once they're here?
According to the Oxford Essential Dictionary, illegal means "contrary to law." It is contrary to law to sneak across any international border without the proper documents, it is contrary to law to work in a country without the proper documents, and it is even more contrary to law to knowingly do so. It's called premeditated crime.
What's even more absurd are the countless city officials that are supporting such lawlessness.
I will be the first to defend a person's right for a better life. I will be the first to lay down my life for equality and fairness and freedom. But, what I will not do is condone undocumented, illegal immigration, nor support any bill that rewards such behavior. It's time that we create a law that more easily allows immigrants to come into the country to work, shop, visit family etc. , a law that eases the burden of migration through 130 degree deserts that kill scores of immigrants every year. We need responsible legislation that cares for these immigrants and does not cast them off as burdens to our communities, as Congress' bill did last December.
Even though there are plenty of examples where U.S. citizens and politicians have manipulated and bent laws to work in their favor (Bush, Jack Abramoff, Dick Cheney, Tom Delay, the entire Republican party, etc.) the one thing that keeps us functioning as a nation is that we work under the guise that our laws are meant to protect us.
With that said, I don't feel we need certain "protections" from immigrants. I love the fact that we have fresh, beautiful blood coming in to mix with our already pluralistic society. I love the culture they bring, the spice of life, and of course, the cheap labor that for $1.09 allows me to purchase a Taco Supreme with tomatoes that were picked not more than two days before my teeth seared through their juicy pulp. Besides, the 911 highjackers were all here legally, and not one of them was hispanic.
We forget at times that thanks to these immigrants, prices remain low even during times of great stress on our economy, no wars mentioned here. We also forget that when they do become citizens, they become targets of military recruiters and many of their youth end up serving and protecting our nation heroically.
However, when the day is done, when every shop is closed, we still have laws, and everyone, including immigrants and U.S. businesses who knowingly hire them, are subject to these laws. And, despite Mexican/American history and the notions that our government opprobriously manipulated this land away from Mexico (which they did by the way) , it's still the property of the U.S. Most of today's immigrants that support temporary work permits are currently here illegally or at one point came here illegally. Therefore, since they did not come here legally, they are suspect, and many want to know how we can expect them to follow the laws once they're here?
According to the Oxford Essential Dictionary, illegal means "contrary to law." It is contrary to law to sneak across any international border without the proper documents, it is contrary to law to work in a country without the proper documents, and it is even more contrary to law to knowingly do so. It's called premeditated crime.
What's even more absurd are the countless city officials that are supporting such lawlessness.
I will be the first to defend a person's right for a better life. I will be the first to lay down my life for equality and fairness and freedom. But, what I will not do is condone undocumented, illegal immigration, nor support any bill that rewards such behavior. It's time that we create a law that more easily allows immigrants to come into the country to work, shop, visit family etc. , a law that eases the burden of migration through 130 degree deserts that kill scores of immigrants every year. We need responsible legislation that cares for these immigrants and does not cast them off as burdens to our communities, as Congress' bill did last December.
posted by Caleab at 9:12 AM
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