A look
at immigration by an immigrant
By Alun
Thomas
The current immigration debate
over whether or not to allow thousands of illegal Mexican immigrants to have
legal status in the US is one I can't help but observe closely, considering the
eight years I've been embroiled in the system trying to become a US citizen
myself. Am I in favour of the proposed changes? No. I arrived here legally and
have had to do things the right way, a long and ongoing process that has cost
thousands of dollars and tremendous strain and pressure to those by me who have
endured it also. Why should they have it
easier? To work minimum wage jobs we won't? To get a slice of the
American dream which isn't much better than a poverty filled life in Mexico
City? If these border jumpers were made to do it the right way, my way, they
might consider jumping back over the fence and back to their fifty cent a day
job at Maytag.
When I think of the possibility
of the laws being lessened to accomodate these Aliens it makes the struggles of
millions of others including myself seem invalid and unfair. Will I be refunded
the eleven hundred dollars I recently paid to obtain my citizenship? Of course
not. It goes towards keeping Mexican immigrants happy and content, despite
flagrantly breaking the law. If I moved to Mexico and tried to become a legal
citizen wouldn't I be expected to go through the same process? What makes them
think they can just walk in here and not have to meet any criteria? The mere
thought of it disgusts me.I want them to suffer immunisation shots, HIV tests,
inquisitions from robotic INS agents, forced appointments in Chicago almost
weekly at their expense and being made penniless in the process. If I and
others from other nations had to, so can they.
You could only understand my
hostility if you had been through the rigours of the INS and the never ending
politics of their regime. Everything has to be perfect in order to make the
ordeal progress smoothly. I became unstuck multiple times, due to insufficient
paperwork, the worst occasion being when I was interviewed for my green card
and my medical records were not in order which meant my case was held up. What
made it more intolerable was driving to Chicago and having to go back a week
later to return the right paperwork. That meant taking extra time off work, losing
money and the expense of having to drive up there. Little things like that make
it painful, which makes me want these hundreds of thousands want to suffer the
same frustrations and anger I've dealt with.
It's not a race issue either. Simply a case of doing
it the right way. After all illegal aliens aren't paying taxes. I have since I
started working. How am I supposed to feel sorry for them after getting away
with murder like that? It makes me feel pathetic for being honest. After
watching and reading about the recent large scale marches of the immigrants
throughout the US the main reason behind the pleas for fair treatment is that
these people work the low paying, undesirable jobs most US citizens won't. They
keep trying to convince us that they are hard workers, honest, will do anything
for a better life for them and their families, give us a chance! Not a problem
unless it is conducted properly within the guidlines of the rules adopted by
the INS that although flawed are considered legal and necessary.
What haunts me years later
however is seeing Mexican hopefuls at INS offices being treated with more
respect than myself. Despite speaking English, doing everything correctly, I
was treated with distaste and ignorance by several INS agents who seemed to
doubt my intentions of living here in the US. Then I watched the same people
while interacting with Mexicans in the same position as if they were gold. How
could this be? It bothers me everytime I think about it. Fortunately my
immigration dealings have been made tolerable by the excellent Liz Voyles in
Galesburg, a true professional in every sense of the word and a woman who has
made it easier than it seems. Sadly she has no hold on the INS officials
themselves, which makes that aspect somewhat tedious and a stale affair.
I don't want to see anymore
protests or rallies regarding this subject. All it succeeds in doing is riling
my senses which is not desirable. If I knew the Mexican frauds had to perform
the same duties as all other immigrants then I might not be as rankled. But
until then their whole cause is unjust and a sick joke. They can have all the
six dollar an hour jobs they want, but have a work permit to prove it. Jump the
border and expect nothing in return. The nation should be rallying against this
whole drama. Once you decide to treat one set of particulars differently then
do the same for everybody. Therefore I demand instant citizenship with a full
refund and an apology for the years of waiting and wondering and doing things
correctly. If I'd known I could have done it all illegally and maybe gotten
away with it I just might have. At least then I might have something to show
for myself after eight years except debt and fatigue.
4/27/06