Xochipilli

The settling of America began with an idea. The idea was that people can join together and agree to govern themselves by making laws for the common good. With that idea in mind, 102 English colonists set sail in 1620 on the Mayflower. This was the beginning of immigration in the U.S. Immigrants have arrived at a pace that at times has exceeded 1,000,000 new arrivals per year. These new arrivals have settled in all parts of the country. The cultural diversity of America has served to enrich and strengthen the nation. America is strong as it is because of the sacrifice, contributions and efforts of immigrants. Even though many immigrants have come to the U.S. illegally they are the ones performing the work that many Americans are not prepared to perform. Immigration laws should be less restrictive so that there is equal treatment between those who are citizens and those who are not, but are living in the U.S.
According to numerous studies, illegal-immigrants actually create more jobs than they fill. The jobs they take are of course easier to see; but illegal-immigrants are often highly productive, run their own businesses and employ both illegal-immigrants and citizens. If America did not have illegal-immigrants there would not be any running businesses like there are today. Without the backbreaking work that these illegal-immigrants put into, America would not be running smoothly as it is now. Immigrants are obviously beneficial, so they should have the same rights that citizens do.
Since the civil war, America has thrived as a republic for free and equal citizens. This would no longer be true if we were to amend our Constitution in a way that would create a permanent caste of aliens, generation after generation born in America but never be among its citizens
Finally, The Declaration of Independence accords to all men an equal share in the inherent rights of humanity. When we do contrary to that principle, we are not acting as Americans; for, by definition, an American is one who lives by the principles of the
Declaration. And we surely violate the Declaration when we attempt to exclude aliens on account of race, nationality, or economic status.
Several options are being discussed for a new immigration policy
- If immigrants meet conditions in civics and English training, payment of back taxes and a clean record with the law, they should be eligible for permanent residence.
- There should be a temporary workers program, in which they can work in the U.S., and take that money home once they are done working.
- Open forums should be held so people can express what should be done about the current situation.
We need an immigration policy that will be fair in creating a path to legalization for hardworking, law-abiding immigrants. The time is right for a bottom-up reconsideration of policies, which will deeply and broadly affect the shape of the country, which we will pass on to our children and grandchildren.