American pride lies in our tradition of being a great land of opportunity. We are a nation founded by immigrants who were escaping hardship. Some flag-wavers seem to forget this fact, as well as the benefits of immigration, while they are building walls — physical and literal — between the States and Mexico.
Anti-immigration complaints include “they take our jobs” and “they are a leech on society.” Plus, there is that annoying language barrier with them not “speakin’ American.”
Only inbred, unintelligent bigots repeat this rhetoric or support any anti-immigration legislation that further handicaps these already downtrodden people. For the record, Mexico is in “America.” So is Canada, and the Central and South American countries. Also, few people have any notion of immigrants’ situations and, therefore, don’t have any right to judge.
Many of those who immigrate have suffered a life unimaginable to modern U.S. citizens. The failing Mexican government limits its people’s opportunities to create a life or provide for their families. As any good father, mother, brother or sister wanting better would do, they move to a land promising opportunity, a land of fellow immigrants. Because legal means of immigration are expensive and intensive, many must risk life and limb to move here, where they take crappy jobs for crappy pay, ensuring that we pay little for their work. The American economy lies on the backs of immigrant workers. Do you really want to pay $20 per pound of grapes to cover the high cost of a decent wage?
I have yet to meet an illegal immigrant who poses a threat to my job security. However, I have met several who serve to make my life easier, helping me to be a more productive member of society. In reality, Mexicans who could take my job will not be barred by current immigration legislation.
Even with all of this knowledge, some people still protest, saying, “It’s not my job to take care of them.” But it is. As fellow human beings, we do have an obligation to respond to the needs of the destitute. At such a small cost and large benefit, why would we not?
We were founded on the backs of the downtrodden and needy, and have since developed into a land of wealth and excess. Unfortunately that involved the devolution into an exclusive club that smugly turns away the needy at the door, “No room in this inn…”
They need us as much as we need them.