An immigration lesson learned the hard way
The Juan Gomez story is a fascinating and heartbreaking one. Here's a kid who can contribute mightily to society but is being punished for his parents' sins.
Unfortunately, the immigration debate has become so hysterically shrill that even friends can't debate the issues without it spiraling into name calling. (I've witnessed this.) I hope this is the start of a renewed push to pass the DREAM Act, which provides a path to make these minors "legal" if they go to college or serve in the armed forces.
Unfortunately, the immigration debate has become so hysterically shrill that even friends can't debate the issues without it spiraling into name calling. (I've witnessed this.) I hope this is the start of a renewed push to pass the DREAM Act, which provides a path to make these minors "legal" if they go to college or serve in the armed forces.
posted by Ana Veciana-Suarez at 8:36 AM
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22 Comments:
Americans are befuddled by the constant barrage of the illegal activities of illegal immigration. Children become the victim.
Well, it's becoming glaring obvious that America is no longer turning the other cheek. We want an end to illegal immigration. We want people to enter the U.S. legally.
It's never okay to break the law no matter how minor. Whether it's a speeding ticket or not paying child support, it's still a crime and it should be punished.
There will be harsher penalties for illegal immigration not just deportation.
Gomez should be deported at no fault of his own. He always has the opportunity to re-enter the U.S. legally.
Shame on their parents for allowing this to happen.
And I am sorry lady, but good grades and good behavior is not the street price of US citizenship.
As an American, I want these kids to EARN this wonderful gift. I propose they serve, like many of our boys, in the US army, specially in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Our armed forces are stretched to the limit. Serving in Iraq will help them earn that so called PATH to Citizenship.
That is as generous as we can get!
I can't believe what you are proprosing. Good grades and you get to stay? No way - are you crazy!!!! I feel for this family but wrong is wrong and there are concequences no matter age, gender, etc. Let him go back to Colombia and then apply for a student Visa.
The United States has through its history welcomed immigrants, documented and undocumented, for their economic contributions to our country. We have become powerful economically through the labor of these immigrants. Federal immigration authorities have only in the last few years begun seriously enforcing (and in some cases overenforcing beyond reason) the immigration laws of this country. Children who were brought to this country during a time when immigration laws were less strict, should not now be forced to return to a country they do not know. While returning these children to their parents' country would punish the parents (which I believe is the reason that some on this board support the children's return), I believe that it will punish the children and those members of their community (friends, girlfriends, teachers, employers, neighbors) who have grown to love them and rely on them more.
To the person who writes that these kids should return to Colombia and obtain student visas, the possibility of getting a student or any visa with a deportation order under your belt is extremely low.
Deporting these kids is imposing one of the cruelest of all punishments, exile, on individuals who played no part in their unlawful stay in the United States. How this child Juan has excelled in school and in his community (as demonstrated by the many people out there who support him in his desire to stay here) demonstrates that he has already "earned" himself a place in the United States.
The United States is a wonderful place because we try to ensure with our laws that people here are treated fairly. When we find out about tortuous treatment of detainees abroad, we denounce it and take steps to prevent it. When we find out about unfair treatment at home, we work to correct it.
Because of my faith in this country, I believe that Congress will recognize the injustice of deporting children such as these, and will pass the Dream Act. I believe the President will recognize the unfairness of deporting these children and will sign the Dream Act.
Personally, I want them to stay because I too have family in their situation.
I do wonder however, if they were poor Hatian or Mexican kids, would they be receiving the same attention.
I'm curious to see what exceptions are made.
They should be sent back. If they were Haitian there would not even be this discussion. No one should be rewarded for breaking US laws. If they are as smart as has been reported they have nothing to worry about. Shame on the parents.
Did the kids not know that they were illegal when they turned 18????? The family was ordered deported, surely that was a sign. Tey broke the law and styed here anyway... also, it is not like they turned themselves in, ICE arrested them. Sorry.... I am calling the white house, and congress and letting them know there are others more deserving of an amnesty bill, not these two from Miami. Did like the comment that if they want to stay let them enroll in the armed services.
are you crazy lady? after they milked the US for so long and you want to give them extra benefits. maybe you should cough up some of your salary and support these kids. send them back or have them join the army and go to Iraq.
Send them back.. they are 18 and 19, legally adults... why did they not petition the court on their own.. no, they hid out hoping not to be caught... oh well!!
Stop the Dream ACT!! These are not Kids, legally Alxe and Juan are adults, they knew they were here illegally and did nothing to try to change it.
Ana,
The only thing fascinating about the Juan & Carlos Gomez is how illogical and delusional people get when it comes to illegal immigration. Look, the whole problem with allowing them to stay is that it will open up an exception a mile wide to our current laws: that being, if you come here illegally under the age of 18 and get good grades you will be allowed to stay. And then everyone else (adults and children) start whining, well Juan & Alex Gomez got to stay, why can't we stay?? And then it turns into chaos.
The saddest thing really though is the fact that I have yet to see one person make a rational, logical argument that didn't rely 100% on emotion. People, we don't make laws and decisions based on emotion; we make them baesd on reasoned debate and a decision of what is best for the country.
Oh, and the DREAM act is a disgrace too...I can't believe that such a deplorable bill is given such a good and cheery sounding name. Hopefully we can stick a fork in it and kill it to never return again like the shamnesty bill back in June...
It's amazing how American born citizens complain and villianize immigrants and give them no credit with the hard work they accomplish. I guess they choose to forget about the workers willing to do the jobs that no other lazy Americans are willing to do. And how the agricultural economy would fall apart without the migrant workers. Remember those who work in the fields, harvesting the food that is brought to your tables.
As for the hi-tech jobs, I guess Americans are scared that they won't be able to survive in the job market when it is open to smarter individuals from other countries. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that what capitalism is all about, competition?
As for immigrants serving in the military? I guess that would just be another great example of what the American mentality is concerning immigrants. Americans want immigrants to die for a a country that won't even accept them for their own. How ridiculous is that? I suggest you look up Orlando Castaneda. He is an individual who was brought to the country illegally by his parents at the age of 3. He is also an Iraq War Veteran, who served for a year. Now he is about to get deported, instead of being rewarded his citizenship. http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=947_1186022122&p=1
The true problem with immigration is that most Americans want immigrants to do the undesirable jobs that they aren't willing to do, but in return, the same Americans do not want to give any type of credit to these workers. Instead, those same Americans want to sit around and do nothing and complain about taxes yet keep collecting the welfare and unemployment.
"Three homeless guys are working the streets, two Americans and one illegal. The first American holds up a sign, it says 'Hungry and tired, need money.' The second American holds up a sign that says, 'Will work for food, please help.' The illegal holds a bag of fruit and his sign says 'Oranges for a dollar.'" These comments may be a generalization over the mentality of what Americans think, but from what I've read so far, it holds true to the statement. They are also no worse than the stereotypes and generalizations that immigrants receive. The bigger the egos, the more the truth hurts.
"It's amazing how American born citizens complain and villianize immigrants and give them no credit with the hard work they accomplish."
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. THe only type of immigrants that we have a problem with is ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. Why do you people consistently leave out the word ILLEGAL???
"And how the agricultural economy would fall apart without the migrant workers. Remember those who work in the fields, harvesting the food that is brought to your tables. "
Completely false. My dad raised fruits and vegetables for 15 years without ever having to resort to hiring illegal immigrants and there were always plenty of food at the local grocery stores.
"As for the hi-tech jobs, I guess Americans are scared that they won't be able to survive in the job market when it is open to smarter individuals from other countries. "
Ok, again, we're talking about ILLEGAL immigrants, you moron. Explain to me how an unskilled, non-English speaking, immigrant who hasn't graduated from high school is going to obtaina "hi-tech job"???? They're not, and that's NOT who we are talking about. We're talking about ILLEGAL immigrants.
"Instead, those same Americans want to sit around and do nothing and complain about taxes yet keep collecting the welfare and unemployment."
Yes, we all sit here and collect welfare and unemployment. You absolute idiot.
"The true problem with immigration is that most Americans want immigrants to do the undesirable jobs that they aren't willing to do, but in return, the same Americans do not want to give any type of credit to these workers."
No, the true problem is that we have hordes of unskilled, uneducated, ILLEGAL immigrants coming here who are making our quality of life worse by
1) not paying taxes (income and/or payroll)
2) committing identity theft (stealing people's Soc Sec #'s)
3) not learning English
4) committing crimes (DUI, sexual assault, murder, etc.)
5) using free government services (education, health care)
The only way for things to change is to vote th guys and gals that are in washington out. The Immigration act was stopped a month or so ago because TONS of people called and complained... if you want the DREAM ACT to not pass, and immigration to change you have to contact washington and get involved, not just write on the web.
Thanks a bunch truth matters youve just made my day puttin down that smart ass punk moron down. I say ALL ILLEGALS GO HOME NOW!!! In fact all peoples not born here go back to where you come from. Alls you good for is bringein more of yuns own kind and messin up our contry. I lost my job for 10 years all cause of a illegal damn Mexican that took my spot. Ya'll are no good here. Ya'll is not wanted and is not welcomed in our contry. WHITE POWER!!! Say truth matters if ya'll want a way to geta hold of my gruop to talk aganst imigrant folks of any kind, lettme now and I'd give ya'lls my addres. Thanks again truth and don't ya'll forget, we white people are the rulers of this contry. GO HOME IMIGRANTS.
Whoever wrote the last comment, you're a sad excuse for an American. I was born here, my parents were born here, and my grandparents and great-grandparents were born here. We were all immigrants at some point unless you're 100% Native American in heritage, idiot. People on this post are talking specifically about not wanting ILLEGAL immigrants: not the ones that work hard to gain citizenship, learn English, and bring a great deal to this country.
PS- Maybe you lost your job because you can't spell. Try spellcheck next time; it might make you seem slightly more educated, despite that your claims are ridiculous.
Ms. Suarez:
The DREAMAct lets illegal aliens take college discounts from U.S. citizens.
Repeat that over and over until you understand it.
All those opposed to amnesty for these 2 illegal immigrants. Call your Senators. Call the House Reps. Write letters. Send faxes. All contact info is listed here for your convenience
truthmattersfa.blogspot.com
And join the facebook group www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3997583167
I was born and raised in the US. I'm married to a Latina and currently live in Mexico. In 2006 the state of Arizona spent $1.3 billion on educating illegals. Meanwhile the majority of people here feel that they have the right to go to the US and work, live, and educate their children. The entire concept of the tax burden legal US residents is lost on a culture that sees two sets of books as standard. The idea that the US needs illegal immigrant labor is a media created farce. If all the illegals left today we could fill all the jobs with legal H2 visa holders from across the world within days. The US is declining and much of it is due to the lack of respect for the rule of law that is being replaced with emotional reactions.
Well I guess we have forgotten that we are all immigrants, the only natives are the Indians. And people, did we forget that European Immigrants came here abusing the welcoming arms of the Indians and in turn killed them to take over the land? At least the immigrants now are only here to work and to search a better future for their families, they are not going around killing off the whites. How would you feel if you found out at 18 that you were not a citizen after this is the only country you've lived in and known, would you leave just because you turned 18? Probably not. Let's be realistic and don't forget that your ancestors killed the Indians to remain in the U.S!
I know a young man in this situation. Good grades, schooled in America, but illegal. Want to immigrate legally but cannot without going back home and waiting for years, even offered to join the military who turned him down becasue he does not have a green card. What a waste. of course I am trying to find something to help him, but the web it crowded with arguments more than help. what a shame.
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