I do not support illegal immigration, and I do not support immigrants’ actions. True, it is a crime, and if caught immigrants should be punished. I do support, however, legislation that would allow those who have lived a crime-free life in the United States an opportunity to legitimize their status in this country.
It is unreasonable and, in my opinion, very unethical to accuse illegal immigrants of being “job thieves” and “criminals.” Although a crime was committed, their crime is far less self-centered and unselfish rather than the usual criminals that walk freely around Dallas. I do not oppose the label “criminal,” but rather the context in which people who oppose their legalizations use it.
This is America, a country that has, since the beginning, been founded on immigration, change and diversity. It was founded on opportunity and the dream of living a reasonably good life. Never in the history of this country has it been said that you must be a citizen to do such a thing. Moreover, the fact that such hard working people, who are not all Mexican, are willing and wanting a legal status in this country should be something we should be proud about. Their situations should be used as an example of America’s greatness and true potential.
They do not take anything for granted. They do not take any job for granted, unlike some of us who live our lives blindfolded by the riches and fortunes that surround us. I should know — I am an SMU student. None of us has ever truly been starving.
To deny these people legalization and throw them back to the start of their peril is un-American in my opinion. Right now, we are helping people across the planet fight for their freedom and opportunity. The same people are now very ungrateful and wish for us to leave them alone. Yet, many support a president that urges us to support him and the status of those people. Is it not somewhat naive for some Americans to care for the welfare of just a selected group of people?
Besides, who would build our new engineering building?
Daniel Olivares is a first-year mechanical engineering major. He may be reached at [email protected].