From a Legal Latino to All Illegals
Having
grown in Colombia, I myself understand the burdens and hardships of growing somewhere
where opportunity is not abundant. I have always believed America truly
represents the last best hope of humanity, not only for the unspoken support of
economic liberty and opportunity, but also for the relentless pursuit of
democratic values and of peace through strength.
My family
has been linked to the United States –particularly to the state of Ohio- for a
relatively long time. It all started when my dad came to the United States to
pursue a Master’s Degree at Ohio State, and while he was here, my oldest sister
was born. When his studies were over, he decided to head back to Colombia to
continue building his career, my other sister would be born shortly after and
America would always be the preferred vacation destination.
Then, in
1997, I was born in Colombia. The business environment changed and my dad
started his own company, whilst always taking every opportunity to visit
friends and family in the US to try to look for investment opportunities and teach
us –through the example of America- that we are truly the architects of our own
future. I grew wary of the challenges my nation faced but was always inspired
by the ideals of the Founding Fathers and the factors that –not coincidentally-
had contributed to the rise of the world’s sole hyperpower.
As my
thinking evolved, I became a passionate supporter of America’s role in the
world and advocated for its increased intervention. My oldest sibling finished
college here and was working for a company in Ohio. We decided it was better to
start the immigration process and so –because of my sister’s American citizenship-,
my parents were soon approved and my dad immigrated first.
I recently
finished High School in Colombia and my mom’s permanent residence was approved,
she immigrated this past December and I spent vacation here with them as I would
with my regular tourist visa. Because of the lengthy and inefficient
immigration process –one which punishes legal immigrants-, I am not yet
eligible to work or live with my parents, and I will have to wait (even though I’ve
now waited over a year) another six months to get my permanent residence and
start living in this land.
Some would
look at me and say I am fine because President Obama is committed to making “this
land prosperous for all”; on the other hand, facts and reason directly
contradict this vision. Obama’s Imperial Presidency has displayed an unwavering
commitment to destroy legal immigration, not solely by his daily efforts to
destroy opportunity in America, but by his omission of law and total disregard
for the impending consequences invoked by long-term illegal residence (not only
on those of us waiting in line, but on the American people).
It troubles
me greatly that whilst I –and many others- have been waiting for an opportunity
to live with my parents and immigrate legally, thousands of illegal immigrants have
been rewarded and amnesty is now seen as an act of “compassion” rather than as
an upfront attack on the constitutional foundations of America. I understand and support the calls many Americans have made to stop this immigration madness now, and this is not about hate or intolerance, but about showing the world the other face of latinos wanting to live in America; those of us who rally behind its values and have the moral basis to do so.
My story is
merely but one compared to the millions out there, yet it serves enough as to
see that once the breaking of law is accepted, a perpetual decay in legality
might become inevitable. Therefore, I would argue, it is perhaps time for us
legal immigrants to stand up and oppose the destruction of America from within.
Illegal Immigration is not a matter of compassion or xenophobia, but of decency
and morality.
Article by: Ricardo Madrid A.
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