I caught myself today looking up my article postings from my school newspaper, and I came across a comment I hadn't noticed before. Here is the quoted text, in response I can only imagine to my mention of President Obama reforming deportation policy to implement some key elements of the Dream Act, which has yet to pass Congress.
Its not my job to respond to people with disrespectful comments, there are frankly too many in this internet world. I can't say I was shocked by the post in its disagreement with "illegal immigration", because I am used to hearing dispute in political opinion. I do live in Virginia, after all. But I was shocked by the reasoning behind it, because in my opinion there wasn't much. And I decided to look further into this, because while I'm not Hispanic or an immigrant my parents were (documented) immigrants, I'm first generation American-born and I have a great deal of respect for people who manage to embody the American dream in such a unique, powerful and true way as coming here and gaining an education. As someone who values America's ideals, I think the opportunity for citizenship should be available for all those who embody these values.
You see, as the Supreme Court ruled, even in their decision that upheld part of Arizona's controversial "show me your papers" law, being undocumented is not a crime. In essence, then, there is no such thing as an immigrant who is not legal, but rather, they are undocumented. It is wrong to call immigrants illegals, (illegal aliens being the worst term). They cannot be arrested for minor crimes in relation to their immigration status. They are only undocumented immigrants.
Now, what I found the hardest to bear was the part about "idiot college illegals". First of all, if you've come from another country as a child, and managed to make it all the way through school to college, and you're probably also bilingual, I don't think you're an idiot. You're an opportunist and a perfect image of what it means to be American, so that also in itself, to me, indicates that you're acting in America's best interests.
A child doesn't choose where he or she is born, I didn't choose to be born in America, so that some person wouldn't be able to tell me I am selfish and childish for thinking I deserve American citizenship.
If I'm willing to work hard, if I've shown this through my character and actions, that means I will in effect contribute to this society.
And I'll leave you all with this, its not relevant but how can you not love Sting?
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=d27gTrPPAyk&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dd27gTrPPAyk
*https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQtKhY4IhqlMAebUHbtBoiTr6HJ6MjmKNwu2SJ1P3prjCJI34VrYg
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