As a middle-class white American, I often felt distance from the issues suffered by people of color. Growing up in a small majority Mexican town, I had seen families broken by discrimination and immigration, but I didn't truly sympathize until two years ago.
A dear friend of mine, we'll use the fake name Oscar, was traveling with his family to California. While driving through Arizona they were stopped by an immigration officer without probable cause. The officer harassed Oscar's father calling him a "wetback" and a "beaner." Oscar's father asked the officer not to insult him in front of his children, and the officer asked Oscar's father for his papers. Oscar's father is an undocumented citizen, he's lived in America for over 30 years with his wife, who is also undocumented. When Oscar's parents couldn't provide papers, his father was detained. Oscar's mother was not because one of Oscar's siblings is still a baby. Oscar hasn't seen his father in 2 years, he hasn't heard from him in 6 months. I knew Oscar's dad, he was a good man. He worked hard, he cared about his family. He always considered himself an American. Oscar's father was brought here as a boy, and never got legal documentation out of fear of what would happen to him and his family.
American immigration policy and xenophobia has created a fear of government among minorities and immigrants from all countries, not just Mexico. America, the land of immigrants and safe haven, is a lie with a giant green statue. Xenophobic, racist, discriminatory rhetoric has been spewing from American mouths for generations and is now a campaign spearheaded by our possible future president, Donald Trump.
Trump's words are more than just scary, they're more than just joke material for kids on Twitter and late night hosts. The hateful dialogue created by Trump validates the opinions of racist officers like the one who stopped Oscar's dad.
Now I know you might say that an undocumented man driving a minivan full of Mexican kids is suspicious; I would say that they drove through 2 states without being stopped, and even when they were the officer never explained why he pulled them over.
2 comments:
Epiphany, I will like to say overall the statement that you made was very well written and definitely sincere. I do respect the fact that you are able to actually see the discrimination issue that we face as a country, I myself can relate to the occurrence due to also being Mexican. I think it is just inhumane for somebody to use such words like the ones you quoted, I am disgusted and heartbroken at the same time for the humiliation that you had to witness. I can totally empathize with your friend and the chaos he had to be faced with. I really admire you sharing your story and recognizing the bigger image.
I also agree with you on your comment made about Donald Trump, he has always labeled minorities. After the election, we can only wait to see the outcome of such atrocity. In my opinion, we need more individuals with a perspective such as yours. You truly showed courage and maturity with your opinions!
Karla
Epiphany,
The subject of immigration is one that has been popular lately. Of course, due to Trump and his threats on this community. There are videos of children that are scared to lose their parents and family members, and the president is supposed to protect, not scare. For this reason, I absolutely loved your post and your story about your dear friend. Unfortunately, that sort of thing is potentially about to happen a lot more frequently.
I can say that there are pros and cons to immigration. Immigrants who are in American illegally generally don't pay income taxes but they utilize government services (i.e. schools), that can be a drain on government spending. BUT, with that being said, sending immigrants back to their countries is not the answer to the problem.
The real problem is how difficult it is to become an American citizen. If this process were easier, more people would do it the right way. You see, not just anybody can "get in line" to begin the process of becoming a citizen. There are only three routes/ reason to be become a citizen: employment, family reunification, and humanitarian protection. If the immigrant does not fall into any of these categories, they are not eligible to become citizens. Most immigrants do not have that kind of relationship with family or employers in the U.S., and not many can access humanitarian protection (i.e. refugee status).
Employment based immigration is not the person having a job in the U.S. What it requires is for an employer to formally request specific foreign workers. That employer will then sponsor them for their visa - either temporary permanent. This typically requires a high level of education such as a scientist or physician, and obviously that is not the case for most immigrants in the U.S.
Secondly, to become a citizen through family in the U.S., that family member must seek permission to do so. Also, that family member must prove an income above poverty to demonstrate that they can provide for this person. Most immigrants coming to the U.S. do not have family ties here; most are coming here for better opportunities for themselves and their children.
As you can see, it is incredibly difficult to become a U.S. citizen. That why not many people actually go through with it. Even those that do spend years waiting for their visa, because often times there are more immigrants "in line" than open slots. The U.S. only allows a certain amount annually.
Immigrants come here willing work and earn their money. They are not "stealing" jobs, they are doing them. Most of the time they are jobs that nobody wants to do anyway, and they are underpaid for them. In my opinion, rather than sending them out of America, we need give these people the opportunity to gain citizenships. America is the country for opportunity, but we don't seem to be giving very much of it.
Shannon Adaway
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