Immigrants make up the fabric of America. They come from around the world and often risk everything they have in search of a better life.
We are a land of immigrants.
However, mean-spirited statements about those who are undocumented are a regular occurrence in the Republican Presidential primary.
Real estate mogul Donald Trump stated at the start of his presidential campaign, “Illegals are coming bringing drugs, crime, and they’re rapists.”
What’s so disturbing, aside from the gross inaccuracy of his initial statement, is the fact that he leads in many polls. His divisive rhetoric appeals to a racist voting bloc within the Republican Party that disregards facts.
He then went on to promise to build a “great wall” on the Mexican-American border, and make Mexico pay for it.
Since America’s economic downturn, undocumented immigration from Mexico has actually decreased and many undocumented immigrants have returned to Mexico on their own, according to Pew Research. The fastest growing minority group in America is currently Asians.
Our politicians love to blame immigrants for society’s problems.
In California, efforts like Proposition 187 have been written to deny health care, education, and other services to undocumented immigrants. Voters actually passed this measure in 1994, but thankfully it was ruled unconstitutional.
At our own school, some angry students have actually lobbied to close the new Dream Success Center, which aims “to empower scholars who are undocumented in their pursuit of higher education and foster a supportive campus community dedicated to their educational and personal success,” according to the CSULB website.
Individuals like this should know some of our greatest leaders, inventors, and innovators have been and still are immigrants. Our country develops and excels because of immigrants.
Many immigrants show a strong work ethic, put in longer hours, and have a greater appreciation of the opportunities America has to offer.
Ironically, Trump’s home base of New York City is especially known for its immigrant population, which has continually renewed and revitalized the city with a strong, energetic workforce.
As America’s baby boomers retire, immigrants will undoubtedly be needed to replace them in the workforce.
Immigration policy failures are not the fault of immigrants, but politicians who have created a two-tier caste system that exploits their labor. An absorption/allocation of resources problem needs to be addressed, but building a wall and rounding up people who call this country “home” isn’t what America is all about.
The United States was established 240 years ago on the idea of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The quote, “Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” is emblazoned on the Statue of Liberty.
Too often we lose sight of what our nation is truly about. Immigrants should be welcomed newcomers. We cannot view our success as a zero sum game.
Our society is not based on color, race, or religion, but on the idea of liberty. We are a land of immigrants. The diversity of our people and thought is what makes us the greatest nation in the world.
We should not give in to prejudice, but confront, rise above, and conquer it.
