Tuesday, May 02, 2006
To My Fellow Immigrants
This is in light of the recent issues regarding illegal immigrants here in the US and yesterday's "A Day Without (Illegal) Immigrants" nationwide protests.
While I feel compassion for people who think they have no other chance in life but to go to another country to try and make a better life, I do have a problem with people having no qualms in doing something which they know is illegal. The impression that you will give is if you don't think twice about breaking the law now, what will stop you from breaking another later on? That is not the first impression you want to give the country you're wanting to live in. You want them to know that you can be an upstanding citizen, if they allow you to be.
While I understand the difficulty of learning a language, know that when you desire to live in another country and enjoy the fruits thereof, one should also make the effort to learn the language and assimilate. I don't mean you should forget your culture. Live it but don't expect the locals to conform to you nor demand that they learn your language. Speaking the local tongue has its social and economic advantages. Do not limit yourself to only the social and business community that speaks only your language. There are so many other opportunities and growth that can be had if you allow yourself to explore that outer circle.
We are in a country where one that they consider their hero once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
Your desire to live in this country should include being a contributing citizen to society as a whole, not just to live off the goods of the land. Trying to create an alternative nation that speaks only your language, demanding that the whole country cater to your needs and wants, championing things which will be an advantage only to your people will not unite you with the rest of the country. The creation of the Spanish version of the Star Spangled Banner is great if your desire is to create a deeper understanding for those who aren't so good with English to comprehend better what America is all about. But if it was created and played repeatedly as a show of Latino solidarity and political muscle, then it only serves to create a feeling of resentment against you and everything you represent, instead of making others feel one with you.
Why not take the legal recourse instead of browbeating a whole country into giving you what you want? Get a lawyer and appeal your case. You will always find sympathetic lawyers who can give you their services for a low fee or even pro bono. I've known a lot of people who have taken this route. They had a tourist visa when they first came but spoke to a lawyer to seek legal papers to stay. And since they have proven that they are upstanding and moral citizens, have gotten approval for a green card.
Bullying a whole nation into submission and demanding that they change the laws to accommodate you through economic and political sabotage wins you no friends, just enemies. Tread carefully, as you might turn even those who were previously sympathetic to your cause, against you.
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While I feel compassion for people who think they have no other chance in life but to go to another country to try and make a better life, I do have a problem with people having no qualms in doing something which they know is illegal. The impression that you will give is if you don't think twice about breaking the law now, what will stop you from breaking another later on? That is not the first impression you want to give the country you're wanting to live in. You want them to know that you can be an upstanding citizen, if they allow you to be.
While I understand the difficulty of learning a language, know that when you desire to live in another country and enjoy the fruits thereof, one should also make the effort to learn the language and assimilate. I don't mean you should forget your culture. Live it but don't expect the locals to conform to you nor demand that they learn your language. Speaking the local tongue has its social and economic advantages. Do not limit yourself to only the social and business community that speaks only your language. There are so many other opportunities and growth that can be had if you allow yourself to explore that outer circle.
We are in a country where one that they consider their hero once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
Your desire to live in this country should include being a contributing citizen to society as a whole, not just to live off the goods of the land. Trying to create an alternative nation that speaks only your language, demanding that the whole country cater to your needs and wants, championing things which will be an advantage only to your people will not unite you with the rest of the country. The creation of the Spanish version of the Star Spangled Banner is great if your desire is to create a deeper understanding for those who aren't so good with English to comprehend better what America is all about. But if it was created and played repeatedly as a show of Latino solidarity and political muscle, then it only serves to create a feeling of resentment against you and everything you represent, instead of making others feel one with you.
Why not take the legal recourse instead of browbeating a whole country into giving you what you want? Get a lawyer and appeal your case. You will always find sympathetic lawyers who can give you their services for a low fee or even pro bono. I've known a lot of people who have taken this route. They had a tourist visa when they first came but spoke to a lawyer to seek legal papers to stay. And since they have proven that they are upstanding and moral citizens, have gotten approval for a green card.
Bullying a whole nation into submission and demanding that they change the laws to accommodate you through economic and political sabotage wins you no friends, just enemies. Tread carefully, as you might turn even those who were previously sympathetic to your cause, against you.
Comments:
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the message of the protesting immigrants is that US govt should not treat them as criminals/terrorists. they also protest the unfair standard of the US govt of allowing the immigrants to work but not to reside as citizens in the US. they are not bullies, they are people who create the wealth of the US. by the way, US english borrows a lot from latin, french and other foreign languages. the US govt should accept the political reality: that immigrants are already a major force to reckon with. good day
# posted by 
: Tuesday, May 02, 2006 7:52:00 PM
: Tuesday, May 02, 2006 7:52:00 PM
Mong,
Illegal immigrants are not necessarily treated as criminals or terrorists, but as those who have offended the law. They have, after all, broken it by entering or staying in the country beyond what the law permits. Some are probably feared as suspected terrorists because of 9/11, but not all. Illegal immigrants are not allowed to work nor live here. And yes, they may create wealth by creating more profits for some people by creating a low-wage labor force but the free medical care, schooling of their kids, welfare benefits come from taxpayers' money through the government.
Every language borrows from others but that doesn't mean you won't benefit from learning the language of the country that you decide to live and work in. I think it's foolish not to, honestly.
Yes, a majority of America are legal immigrants dating back hundreds of years so they ARE a force to reckon with.
Let's differentiate between the legal and illegals here. I am for periodical amnesty for deserving, upstanding people, but not a blanket approval for all illegals. If the government does that, then it's going to be a free-for-all in the coming years of people coming here and just demanding naturalization simply because they got here.
Imagine your own country with an unstoppable influx of Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Cambodian, etc. who demand citizenship even if they've entered the country illegally. They won't even speak Tagalog or any Philippine dialects and insist on speaking their own. That's how it would feel.
Take care.
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Illegal immigrants are not necessarily treated as criminals or terrorists, but as those who have offended the law. They have, after all, broken it by entering or staying in the country beyond what the law permits. Some are probably feared as suspected terrorists because of 9/11, but not all. Illegal immigrants are not allowed to work nor live here. And yes, they may create wealth by creating more profits for some people by creating a low-wage labor force but the free medical care, schooling of their kids, welfare benefits come from taxpayers' money through the government.
Every language borrows from others but that doesn't mean you won't benefit from learning the language of the country that you decide to live and work in. I think it's foolish not to, honestly.
Yes, a majority of America are legal immigrants dating back hundreds of years so they ARE a force to reckon with.
Let's differentiate between the legal and illegals here. I am for periodical amnesty for deserving, upstanding people, but not a blanket approval for all illegals. If the government does that, then it's going to be a free-for-all in the coming years of people coming here and just demanding naturalization simply because they got here.
Imagine your own country with an unstoppable influx of Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Cambodian, etc. who demand citizenship even if they've entered the country illegally. They won't even speak Tagalog or any Philippine dialects and insist on speaking their own. That's how it would feel.
Take care.
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