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Perhaps the hottest issue in the news now is that of the new proposed immigration law in Arizona. As of right now, it looks like the debate will continue as the appeal process is likely to reach the Supreme Court. As I try to keep up with this issue, I often wonder whether we Americans understand the possible ramifications if this law is to pass, or whether we understand whether the law is too vague, and if it could open the door wide open for people who may have alternate motives when enforcing the law. Before I proceed with my feelings about this proposed law, I must disclose and remind you all that I was not born in the United States, but I am a proud U.S. citizen. Having said that, why do I think that we do not fully understand illegal immigration?

First – I need to make it clear that I do not believe that anyone should be above the law – under any circumstances, and that includes illegal immigration. According to recent data, there are about 11 million illegal workers currently working in the United States. Most of these workers work in the agricultural sector, as well as in the construction and hotel industries. The other day, CNN showed a report about an agricultural based business, grapes if I’m not mistaken. The company’s workforce was comprised of a Hispanic crew who were in charge of picking, packing, and moving the product (I need to mention that the works who were interviewed would not discuss their immigration status). The manager of the plant was interviewed and asked how many “Americans” had applied to work in the plant. He answered by saying that the plant was several years old and he never remembers any “Americans” ever applying for a job. I must add that these workers made minimum wages and the work is back breaking, long hours, and demanding. By the way, they all pay their share of taxes out of their paychecks. When it comes to most illegal immigrants, the reality is that most do not take jobs away from Americans. They just do the work that we do not want to do….. Again, that is not all the time, but most of the time.

I think it is ignorant to say that illegal immigrants do not pay taxes. Just like we all do, illegal immigrants have to pay sales taxes, they pay property taxes (people who rent homes charge property taxes to the renters and some illegal immigrants own their own homes), many pay income taxes, and they also pay into our social security over 7 billion dollars a year! Some people may say, well, they assume other people’s identities so they all cause harm. Fact is, most illegal immigrants are issued an ID number in order to work. Another group of people claim that illegal immigrants abuse services provided by state or by the feds. I think that could be true, specifically with those immigrants who have children and have their children attend public schools. Other immigrants also collect food stamps or enjoy other benefits, but we must remember that the vast majority of immigrants are not here to “milk” the system. They are hoping to find the “American dream”, just like many other immigrants did in the past.

I believe that some people do make fair and intelligent arguments about their stance against illegal immigration. Fact is that the term “illegal” tells me that somebody is doing something they should not be doing. It is also a fact that illegal immigrants do use some of our resources, such as hospitals and schools. Drugs traffickers crossing our borders is another issue which it is valid, but is not the main reason we have illegal immigration (I will discuss this on the next paragraph). My issue is that I believe that illegal immigration, for many people, has everything to do about race and skin color, and very little with the substance behind it. I find it hateful, that in this decade, we have organizations that are promoting hatred and a deep division within our borders. I believe that scare tactics are used, and data is manipulated to paint a grim and disturbing picture about immigrants. Instead of opening lines of communication and making reasonable policies which would benefit the country, politicians are taking advantage of the issue by taking radical stances on the issue. Here in Florida, a candidate in the district is making a political issue out of it and claiming that he would propose a bill similar to that in Arizona. That in itself tells me how much thinking this individual put behind this concept – let’s just copy another state’s failed bill.

Let us remember, people cross the border because industries, such as agriculture, hotel, and construction, want them to come. They, immigrants and industries, need each other – it is like a dirty little secret. Various companies know that they cannot find enough workers to perform specific tasks. Sadly, many people, who find themselves out of a job, would rather sit at home collecting an unemployment check instead of doing physical work – after all, that is beneath them – right? I wish that instead of condemning immigrants, we would go after so many people, born and raised in this country, who have chosen to exploit and manipulate the system. Perhaps some politician would have the guts to enact such bill.

So, what do we do about Arizona? I believe that the Supreme Court will have the wisdom to make a reasonable and fair decision. A decision that will take away the right to ask for documentation from a Hispanic (just because the person looks “Mexican”) away from someone who has a badge. Reality is that we do not want to live in a country where a cop has the right to ask for all sorts of IDs. Where do we live? Cuba? Venezuela? Nazi Germany? There are better methods to manage this situation. One is by enacting a federal law which will provide the various industries in need of workers, with the workforce needed, while providing immigrants with fair treatment. I will pick that issue up on another blog.

Tags: Arizona, Illegal Aliens, Immigration, Politico, Politics

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