The Other Side of Illegal Immigration

What Would You Do If Your Family was Hungry?

By Pat Burroughs, published Dec 05, 2007
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In last night's Republican Presidential debate one of the hot topics was illegal immigration, which came as no surprise. It seems to be a big topic everywhere these days, and never fails to be in the news. There are two sides to this issue, but almost everyone I hear say anything is ready to "throw the bums out." There was a time I would have agreed with them. But after coming to know some of them well, I have mixed feelings on the subject.

If I hadn't worked at a church which had a daycare, and hadn't volunteered at the elementary school for a couple of years, I would probably feel differently. But after meeting children of illegal immigrants, I just can't condone deporting all illegals. If an immigrant, legal or not, is caught selling drugs or committing other crimes, I'm certainly in favor of locking him up and/or deporting him. But if they're only trying to feed their family, I'm for leaving them alone. Whether or not anyone will admit it, they contribute greatly to America's economy.

In Tulsa, Oklahoma recently, a family who was doing well, working hard, contributing to the community, was suddenly deported. Were these drug dealers? Criminals? Not unless the subject of illegal immigration is brought up. The man was running a successful business in construction, roofing, as I recall. They had a nice house in a good neighborhood and were well thought of. They had two teen-age daughters who were born in America, and knew nothing about Mexico. Yet the whole family was yanked up and deported. Why? My guess is, to make an example of them. Of course the girls wouldn't be forced to leave, but if their parents were deported, what choice did they have? I'll come back to that later.

 
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Showing Comments 1 - 13 of 13
 
 
A very thought provoking piece, good job! My profession affords me the opportunity to meet many wonderful people from all aspects of society including illegal immigrants. I have come to know many of their plights personally and have been deeply moved. With that said, I cannot condone illegal immigration, though I empathize and sympathize, American interests must come first. There is a reason it takes so long to legally immigrate here, part of that reason is to ease the burden on American resources. Did you read Jerry Garners plight? His story is what we should champion and demand that all migrants follow the rule of law. My heart goes out to those waiting the legal process while observing our inept immigration laws constantly being subverted.

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Posted on 12/09/2007 at 9:12:36 PM

 
You can not change my mind in any way. I spent more than $1000 and waited a year of my life overseas while my wife had her immigration processed legally. I have friends who waited for more than 7 years to immigrate to this country. It is a slap in my face, and theirs, to extend any rights or courtesy to someone who broker the immigration laws. Not only do they not belong here, but they should be jailed and sentenced to labor to pay for their return. Anyone who is sympathetic to these criminals spits in the face of the American tax payer.

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Posted on 12/07/2007 at 10:12:00 PM

 
Great article! The US needs to make it easier for people to come in legally - that's why illegal immigration is so rife. When my family emmigrated to the US (from England) we had to wait 3 1/2 YEARS for the paperwork to go thru and that was with my father having a HUGE corporation sponsoring us. Ridiculous, and an incredible amount of money. That's why most Mexican immigrants do it illegally.

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Posted on 12/06/2007 at 6:12:00 AM

 
There are many illegals here working away and not abusing the system. Unfortunately there are many who are. For every good story there is a bad and worse one, such as the illegal driving without a license and insurance and kills a family. My brother in law is a Chicago cop, and he stops many illegals. Also, here is how it has recently effected me directly: because of the abuse of the medical system my health insurance has been increased a lot. Not the only reason, but a big contributing factor. Another way I was effected was 30 years ago when I owned a landscape contracting biz. We did not hire illegals, though the Mexicans were the hardest working guys out there. We hired young, lazy American teenagers, and had to pay them probably one half more than the hard working Mexican. We couldn't compete. We lost accounts. Certain industries are dominated by illegals, such as the drywall biz. Now please don't say that is a job no American would want to do. I am an American, and

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Posted on 12/05/2007 at 9:12:00 PM

 
Thanks, Kay. I guess what keeps them from coming here is that the U.S. has severely limited the number of immigrants from all countries, and I would say especially Mexico. On the news last night I saw where a family who lived somewhere around me, illegals, no doubt, but who had been here for a long time, had become separated when the wife and mother flew back to Mexico because her mother died. She has been gone for four years and now her husband is dying and the authorities still won't let her come back. The family is really torn up because the kids haven't seen their mother in four years and their dad is dying. I know I must seem like a spineless wus to most people, but things like that really get to me.

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Posted on 12/05/2007 at 7:12:00 PM

 
What prevents people from coming here legally? I don't belive in human suffering (who does?), but I don't believe that US citizens can bear the responsibility of "taking care of the world". Nice job on a sensitive issue!

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Posted on 12/05/2007 at 5:12:00 PM

 
The problem is that they CAN'T come legally. We have a Mexican friend (legal) who has tried for years to get his elderly mother into the country legally, has paid a lot of money even, and still can't get her in legally. I guess they just get hungry enough to risk coming illegally. And as I said, I know I'm way outnumbered on this, and even I have mixed feelings on it.

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Posted on 12/05/2007 at 5:12:00 PM

 
I agree with much of what you are saying BUT I still think they should come here legally. If they did that, I'd have not one problem and would do everything in my power to help them. It's just not right to have laws apply to some, but not all.

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Posted on 12/05/2007 at 4:12:00 PM

 
Imeant to say "our church."

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Posted on 12/05/2007 at 4:12:00 PM

 
Thanks everyone. Robritt, I know what you're saying and understand. But one thing I learned from working in the church office all those years is that we have families (at least in this area) who have ridden the welfare wagon generation after generation and have no desire or intention of trying to do better. I'm also sick of seeing them take advantage of the system, but there seems to be nothing we can do because they're U.S. citizens. For example, one gal who was always in the church office wanting a handout recently filled in a request for toys from out church for Christmas. She said she had six little kids, and we all know she has one or two. I'd rather see working illegals get a bit of free medical aid than lazy citizens who expect to sit on their duffs and let us all support them.

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Posted on 12/05/2007 at 4:12:00 PM

 
I understand what you are saying, BUT I'm tired of paying the way of people who don't belong here and take advantage of the system. Sorry Pat

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Posted on 12/05/2007 at 2:12:00 PM

 
Thought-provoking article that effectively shows what we don't see- the "other side." Kudos for this well-written piece!

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Posted on 12/05/2007 at 1:12:00 PM

 
I feel for the children too, and it's a shame they become innocent victims. I don't know what the answer is, but I'd still like to see people become citizens the legal way. I'd welcome them with open arms. Excellent thought-provoking article.

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Posted on 12/05/2007 at 1:12:00 PM

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