I have a few friends and a few acquaintances who are from Mexico. Some are illegal immigrants and they are here to work. I know because I used to work with them and damn, they work hard. I learned a lot in talking with them and, my past opinions of them have changed because of our illuminating conversations. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Usually, their plan is to take what they make here and eventually go home. This is a way of life, a paradigm into which they are born. For example, we grow up and our options are, we can go to college, we can jump into the work force, we can….anything. Over there the options are, go to university, jump into the work force, go North. Now, why go to the United States? Simply put, the potential to earn a decent wage in Mexico is minimal so, if you have a family to support and dreams of giving them better, you leave them and go to a place where you can work your ass off, save a substantial amount of money, send some home and give your family better. But, why sneak across? Why not get permission first and come across legally? Quite frankly, the answer is, sneaking is easier and takes less time. It’s dangerous, yes, but, while you are waiting for that next chance to apply for your visa, after being turned down…for what, the 3rd time, you could be in the U.S. making money. I am going to research what exactly are the steps for acquiring a visa and I will let you know what I find out. But, until then, I have more to say…surprised? Those of you who know me aren’t. Hehehe…anyway….
So, what’s my problem? My problem is that, while I understand they are breaking the law, while here illegal immigrants are working and contributing to our country. Here’s the part that gets heated. Many say that illegal immigrants are taking all our resources so that we can’t use them. For example, just recently, I applied for food stamps and was turned down because I make $100.00 too much. I’m a single mom raising 3 girls and paying child support for a 4th little girl. Did I get turned down because there’s just no money left? Is there no money left because an illegal immigrant has applied for aid and been approved? See…I don’t believe that is the issue. But, this is where I need to do the more research. I need to find out what the statistics really are. I mean, every one of the illegal immigrants I’ve come across work. How do I know, because that’s how I met them, back when I served tables. When you stop to talk to your coworkers, you learn a lot. Some of these people have two, sometimes three jobs and, put together, they make great money. I’m sure there are illegals using our system to get food stamps, etc., but, before I get the old, they shouldn’t even be getting food stamps, they aren’t even from here…please keep in mind, they are the ones cooking your food when you go out to eat. They are the ones making the beds and cleaning the toilets in that hotel room you just checked out of. They are the ones doing all the menial tasks that we as U.S. citizens look down on. If we’re so ready to use their services and pay them lower wages, why shouldn’t they be allowed to get help. As for the work they do, seriously, are you going to apply to work in that hot kitchen and cook for eight, 10, 12 hours at a time? Are you going to go out to the fields and pick the oranges? Maybe if the employers paid more money? Yeah, right, so then our cost of living goes up because now we have to pay more for our lettuce, more for our clothing, more for everything. What sickens me is how so many will look down on illegals yet, they still go out to eat and they still travel. As for taxes, many illegals actually do have taxes taken out of their checks. While a few do their taxes at the end of the year, a great many don’t. Where does that money go? Does anyone know? And, about terrorists coming in, what about our own terrorists right here within our borders? We can’t keep blaming illegals for crime rates and terrorist actions unless we take credit for that which we ourselves are guilty of. Yes, there are bad apples, but they are a universal issue.
It’s my sense that, while we keep hearing our government talk about making the borders stronger, illegals are getting across because we need them. The borders are not being protected as strongly as possible because our government realizes that the moment we kick them all out, we are screwed. And I’m not just referring to Mexicans. I’m talking about all our illegals that come in from worldwide. Yes, this is a new and more dangerous age and with illegals who are here to legitimately work, there are terrorists who can potentially use the same ways in. I think an answer to the problem may be this…let’s make it easier for immigrants to get visas. Let’s give them amnesty and acknowledge that while these people are here, our economy is better. Let’s make it so they don’t have to be so sneaky and let’s give credit where it is due. Then, we would be better able to guard against terrorists, because we’d be better able to monitor who is coming and going. We wouldn’t have to worry so much that our social security numbers are being used by Juan and Jose from down in Tacamboro. For that aid that we say we don’t have enough of….I still want to know, where the hell is the money going that comes out of their checks? Couldn’t that be used?
When you feel the need to talk down about illegals, remember how good that steak was last night when you and the Missus went out to eat. When you traveled last, how clean was that bathroom and were the beds made to your liking? Do you like orange juice with your eggs and bacon and do you like driving to work through an area that has been picked up and maintained? Maybe you have good work ethic and would be willing to do what it takes, but, do we have enough people in our country like you? Folks, we’re a spoiled country…let’s stop being so sanctimonious and acknowledge that busboy who cleaned up after you so you wouldn’t have to. And let’s respect that they are only seeking what any of us would, a better life. Yes, there needs to be great change made in their own country so that they can stay there and have a good life. But, this kind of change will take much time and effort and in the meantime, they still have families to support. We here need to learn the value of hard work again. I love this country for what it stood for but, I question whether we remember why we came to be in the first place. We take much for granted. We could learn alot from these immigrants. Maybe we could stop judging and start facing our issues together.
