Blog Entry #1

My position on the current state of immigration was not altered by the first 3 chapters and the introduction of Antonio's Gun and Delfinio's Dream. The US government was founded by immigrants "by the people and for the people." The Statue of Liberty is an invitation to immigration! However, I cannot say that I am happy with the current state of immigration. I have a good friend who came here from Cuba when she was six. Her parents came much later as her father was busy rotting in one of Fidel Castro's prisons. Her husband is a wonderful, talented man who also immigrated here from Cuba in a boat dodging bullets as he hit the water. Later, he dodged sharks. He came to the US seeking political asylum. This hard-working individual has faced a lot of mistreatment from American bosses on jobs who assume that he is an illegal alien because his English is a work in progress even though he's gone through all the proper channels to work and live in this country and recently became a citizen! My point is that mistreatment and underpayment of workers is happening here because of illegal immigration. The mistreatment suffered by Delfinio and other young workers in Mexico City is appalling, but from some of the stories I've heard, the same sort of thing is going on here in the U.S. I do think, personally, that because of the geographical nearness of Mexico, it is easier to immigrate illegally from that country than, say, from Afghanistan. However, it is still illegal. There are so many people who would love to come here seeking political asylum, a better way of life. There are many women who are treated as if they are not human in other countries. I would like to see all people have the right to come here by proper petition through legal channels.

This leads to my thoughts on immigration reform. The corruption in the government in California (the Tomato King & Robles) is a prime example of immigrants being abused because of not knowing their rights. These people elected officials that they thought understood them, and instead, they were used and abused by those elected officials just as they had been under the Mexican system. The book has opened my eyes to some things. It has made me believe that there must be a cap on US dollars that are allowed to be sent back to Mexico to relatives or to fund advances in roads, etc. in Mexico. If Mexican immigrants to the US were only allowed to send a certain amount home & only to immediate family like wives, children, or parents, then some of the illegal immigration might stop. Some of the abuses that are occurring with immigrant workers might stop. All legal immigrants need to be given mandatory classes on adjusting to American society so that they will know their rights. Perhaps this is already done. I only know that the red tape most legal immigrants go through is astounding! Then, it seems grossly unfair to me that in spite of going through all the proper channels, legal immigrants are abused b/c people believe they are illegals. The book brought tears to my eyes. People are people and deserve basic human rights whether they are here legally or illegally!