Is Dreaming only for the dreamer?

On July 22nd a group of 5 women and 4 men (the Dream 9), all Mexican nationals, but raised in the US, were arrested on the spot after they crossed the boarder into Mexico and tried to reenter the States on grounds of a protest. Their protest was in response to Obama’s immigration policy and the thousand of immigrants deported because of it.

Obama’s policy, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) grants a deferment for immigrants who came here as children leeway to receive a workers permit, open bank accounts, and even apply for credit cards, however it does not pave a pathway for citizenship or protect those close to them. This program was Obama’s response to the rejection of the DREAM Act, which would grant everything above, and a path to citizenship.

On some degrees I agree that people shouldn’t be able to just show up and expect to be fed with a sliver spoon, but on the other hand I also agree that if someone comes to the States to work and become apart of the society, why stop them? But the grey area that the US faces today is granting any kind of citizenship to individuals who have been living here illegally their whole life. Does the US grant them citizenship, but what does that say to the immigrants going through the legal process? Does the US deport them, but how can you deport someone to live elsewhere when they’ve known nothing else their entire life?

I say, let them go. These immigrants are American in every way, but politically. And why should something like paper hold them back from living their lives? They’ve lived here their entire life, as far as I’m concerned they are citizens.

Dream9

We Want It Now!

Chairwoman of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Terry O’Neill and 9to5 executive director, Linda Meric, were arrested with 113 other women in Washington D.C last Thursday for blocking a main intersection for a, “move on immigration legislation protest.” Because of the current Syria and budget crises, Congress stated that most likely they would not take up immigration legislation this fall. These women organized the peaceful protest to say to Congress, later isn’t good enough, we need it NOW! There are millions of illegal immigrants living in the U.S and their path to citizenship is something that can’t be put off much longer. The leaders of the protest say that the point of the protest was to also to raise the issue to women voters, and encourage them to join in the NOW mindset. Showing the group’s valor, 25 of the women arrested were illegal immigrants. When asked why they would take such a risk, one of the women, Maria Hernandez, responded “Why not? I’m taking the same risk every time I go out of my house, every time I take my daughters to school.” This quote shows that although there are international emergencies taking place, we can’t forget about the issues facing people living in America on a daily basis. Some members of the House of Representatives have responded by agreeing with the protestors, while others say it is better left for another day. However, in agreement the protestors I say why leave for tomorrow what you can do NOW!

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/13/us/politics/womens-groups-rally-for-immigration-reform.html

Should we actually let them in?

On Thursday, September 12, immigrant-rights activists were arrested for taking over the streets of washington DC while protesting.... what for? For congress to pass a legalization bill. This bill, other wise know as the immigration reform bill of 2013 is a way for Obama to automatically legalize undocumented immigrants living in the United States. The process would take 10-13 years, before achieving permanent residency and it would also cost millions.
104 women, 20 who are currently illegal as stated in the article stood in front of the Capitol pressuring Congress who is already pre-occupied with the country's financial problems as well as with the whole do we go to syria or not situation going on. This past year the house has tried to ease their way into the situation by adding security at border control and letting people work in what the call "guest worker" programs but unfortunately for the immigrants none of those are going to allow approximately 11 million people to get permanent residency.
Commentators outside the capitol explained that its unfair that families are being separated and that only certain ones are getting residency... but is it really unfair?
Being an immigrant myself, and from a country that is dealing with this as we speak, this topic has always been one that i was unsure about... myself questioning "should we let people in illegally". Im not trying to say that I do not feel for these people and that they don't deserve a better life but I have seen first hand what it does to a country... not the USA, but France with those coming from Arabic countries and South Africa. It is a difficult topic to have a humane opinion on but can the USA and should the USA jump in and actually take care of the situation.... are they financially stable?

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/12/immigrant-activists-arrested-capitol-hill-protest/?page=all#pagebreak