Tony crossed the Mexican border with his family when he was eight years old because his family wanted a better life financially and educationally. Tony, who graduated from high school with a 3.8 grade point average, has missed several chances on scholarships because of his status as an illegal immigrant. Along with financial difficulties, his family has to live without their father because his father came earlier to earn money for their crossing which caused him to get deported from the United States. Tony, along with his two siblings, will have to wait twenty years to see his father again (Tony). They are not the only family, who has had these problems, and with Arizona’s new, immigration law, immigrants are required to have documents on them always, and police can stop whoever they think might be in the country illegally (Archibold). Although the immigration laws are in place to protect U.S. citizens, they can directly affect immigrants in a negative way and refuse them basic human rights.
Students who are unable to become a U.S. Citizen should not have difficulty, obtaining a quality education. States such as Georgia and Colorado ban in state tuition to illegal residents forcing them to pay out of state cost of tuition for the particular college (Finaid). Thomas Rudin, senior vice president for the College Board, stated that, "We absolutely believe it's important for opening up economic opportunities.” Federal legislation known as the Dream Act would allow illegal immigrants who entered the United States, when they were fifteen or younger and have been a resident for five or more years, to have conditional legal status when they graduate from high school (“College Board”). Even though this bill would help these stu...
... middle of paper ...
... breeze.com | News, Sports, Community Info. - Cape Coral Daily Breeze. 10 July 2010. Web. 11 July 2010. .
Thornburgh, Nathan. "Immigration: The Case for Amnesty - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. 7 June 2007. Web. 12 July 2010. .
Tony. "The Stories of U.S. Immigrants in Their Own Words." My Immigration Story - Home. Web. 06 July 2010. .
Usafis. "Make Green Card Lottery Application Process Simpler with Online Consulting Agencies." Article Directory Submit and Find Free Articles on A1articles. 31 Aug.
2009. Web. 06 July 2010. .
The author mainly focuses on the struggles of a man, Kevin Villanueva, who was deported because he was an illegal immigrant in the United States. The author focuses on his story of getting deported back to Honduras and how much of a culture change it was for him. The author also focuses on the struggles that occur when he was deported back to Honduras. Throughout, Kevin describes his whole journey, from almost dying in the hot desert trying to cross the border the first time to getting deported and seeing the struggles that the people of Honduras faced everyday.
The basic want for many individuals is to have a better life. Regardless of our socioeconomic status, family background, ethnicity, and so on; we are all trying to improve upon at least one facet of our current situation, in some aspect. Yet, some of toughs who live in the United States take for granted the vast opportunities presented to them. The extreme obliviousness of these individuals, gives them negative biases about immigrants, especially the numerous that cross illegally. In Crossing Arizona, it opens your eyes to the struggles of those crossing the border. Told from both sides, those effected by the illegal immigrants and the illegal immigrants themselves, you can see where the many problems lie. When watching this movie, I was appalled
Joshua Davis writes how on a drive back to Phoenix there was an immigration checkpoint, “Everybody’s heart rate kicked up…and Oscar prepared for the worst. He imagined being torn from his family and dropped across the border” (107). This is a constant fear illegal immigrants live with. Since my parents and oldest brother had no papers, I lived with constant paranoia. I was scared that from one moment to the next my family will be taken from me, and that I would have to grow up in a foster home without them. This fear was always there whenever I saw police, no matter the reason police was there. Illegal immigrants wake up every day with the uncertainty if it will be last day they see their families. I felt the same fear Oscar and the boys felt that day, because it will be horrible to be separated from a
After reading the circuit by Francisco Jimenez, it talks about the struggles of an immigrant, and the obstacles they have to overcome. I can’t really relate because I never had to move from place to place, and have to deal with a new language. Even though I have always wanted to travel and move to a different country. But over the last year I’ve moved from Atlanta to Douglas, and having to adapt to new cultures, types of people, and just the new vibes was really different. Back in elementary school I had a friend named Johnny and he was an immigrant. I feel like he could relate to this story a lot more since he didn’t really know English and his family heavily struggled financially. It was difficult for teachers even trying to
An illegal immigrant, who works for their keep in an unknown country, contributes to taxes, stays out of trouble, and just wants a better life in a foreign country, on unknown land should be recognized for their contribution to that particular society. An illegal immigrant is a person who migrates to a different country in a way that is in violation of the immigrant laws of that country. Immigration has been a divided topic for many years in America- illegal immigrants are sometimes seen as a burden to America, but others view them as an economic savior. There are over 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States and many Americans have mixed views about where there stance should be regarding citizenship. Illegal immigrants should be granted citizenship based on the United States need for e legalized workforce, the increase in tax revenues that would decrease the nation’s debt, and the boosting of America’s economy.
The United States is known to have one of the most accepting immigration in the world. It has contributed to the country's population growth as well as social change. However, the policy remains to be a controversy because of the topic that is illegal immigration. According to the Department of Homeland security in 2010, there are 10.8 million illegal immigrants residing among the 300+ million Americans. Since then, the number has grown to 11+ million people. The U.S. Congress has always sought to find the solution for illegal immigration, with amnesty being an option. If enacted, an amnesty will give unauthorized immigrants a path to legalization and eventually citizenship. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) is a prime instance of amnesty, with some 2.7 million people gaining legal status during the Reagan office. With the immigration policy being contested in Congress, a solution to illegal immigration via amnesty should be considered as it may benefit the country's labor force and economy, control the influx of immigrants in the country, and provide the opportunity for the currently illegal immigrants to become productive members of America.
It is estimated that 65,000 undocumented students graduate from High School each year, and out of these students, only less than 10 percent attend a higher education (Ibarra & Sherman, 2012). Under the Supreme Court Decision known as Plyler v. Doe, undocumented young immigrants are entitled to receive free education from Kindergarten to secondary institutions (Yates, 2004). However, as young undocumented immigrants transition from high school to college, the challenges that come with being illegal begins. Prior to 2001, college institutions classified undocumented students as international students even if they have lived in California a majority of lives (Abrego, 2008). Undocumented students were required to pay out of state tuition of approximately
Jose talks about how he has dealt with things in the past which includes treatment such as the time when he went to the DMV to get his license, “I handed the clerk my green card as a proof of US residency, she flipped it around examining it. ‘This is fake she whispered. Don’t come back here again.’” (Vargas 3). Jose’s encounter with the clerk shows some of society’s hate towards immigrants which is shown by the clerk’s hostile language. Jose may have bypassed this in the future, but had lost many opportunities when he did not have a license. Jose’s calling was to be a reporter, but when he was offered internships, his undocumentation always held him back, “... She called back with the answer I feared: I couldn't do the internship.” (Vargas 30) Jose did however persevere in doing what he wanted but is among those few who beat the “system” unlike most
With little to no money and tuition costs being outrageous, how can we expect unauthorized immigrants whose parents can’t even afford to pay, be expected to make such a payment without any support from the government like everyone else? According to Andrew Thangasamy a professor at Metropolitan State University claims that “For teens without documentation, cost barriers included ineligibility to apply for most grants, loans, and/or scholarships for higher education through either government or private sources”. Undocumented immigrants arrive here for a better life, and endure the harsh reality that when coming here, they face extreme barriers and discrimination as they aren’t treated like everyone else in the face of the government. One way
Some illegal families do not earn enough to provide everything for their children, so several illegal students become unable to attend college and only receive education up until high school. This only expands the number of unskilled workers in the United States. The aspiration for that to change sparked up with the Dream Act though, but will that lessen the cost of immigration? Competition for college is arduous enough already; the costs for tuition keep rising and almost every student is rushing for financial aid. Adding aid to about “1 million illegal immigrants” will end up costing “American taxpayers $6.2 billion per year” ("Dream Act Would Be Nightmare for America," B02). However, legalizing them and providing educational aid will benefit the economy in the long run, as it will increase the number of skilled workers over time. Still, it is something that will take great effort to reach, as some citizens might not agree. One school, The University of North Carolina allows illegal immigrants to admit if and only the undocumented immigrants graduate “from a U.S. high school, pay out-of-state tuition and do not get government financial aid” ("Educating Illegals," A10). Although it is a step for illegal immigrants to reach for something higher in their life, there remains the drawback of not being financially stable in the first place to pay for university. If other universities or colleges began to execute the same
...st an example of the family stories that I hear often in my community. The laws are the number one problem in the immigration issue. It is true that immigration should be monitored, and immigrants thoroughly investigated. This is especially apparent in light of 9/11/01. However, if legal immigration continues to be less than feasible for hungry children and families, illegal and thus unmonitored immigration will persist. Which in turn makes the application for permanent residence cards a painstakingly drawn out process. This then discourages good, hardworking, and taxpaying migrants from even applying for citizenship. The hole gets deeper and the web is spinning out of control. Complex problems come with complex solutions, and I only wish that more people would understand this and start looking at the broadness of the issue (particularly in border towns and states).
Larissa Martinez, a high school graduate, revealed she was an undocumented immigrant in her high school valedictorian speech. She talked about how many undocumented immigrants will not have the chance to attend education beyond secondary school. Martinez mentions that “school became her safe haven because… that might be the only way to help [her] family” (The Dallas Morning News, 2016, 4:28). Not only do Americans look for social mobility through education, but immigrants do as well. Fortunately, Martinez can attend college through college funds, but many students in her situation do not have the means to get a college education because they do not have the money to afford it. People like Larissa struggle daily to achieve the “American Dream,” but fall short when pursuing a college education which they cannot afford or
These undocumented children are allowed to attend post first and secondary school and graduate from college. But are not allowed to keep pursuing education and attend college. Yes, they are undocumented children and saying they will get a free education ride but they won’t. They are trying to change their lives and become successful. “This wasted talent imposes financial and emotional costs not only on undocumented students themselves, but on the U.S. economy and U.S. society as a whole.” (Gonzales, Roberto G.) These undocumented children should be allowed to keep pursuing their education just like any other
An important issue that the Foreign Policy Committee should address is immigration. Immigration is an important issue currently in our nation, and there should be no avoiding it. As of 2012, the total population of foreign born immigrants was approximately 40 million. The population also consisted of about 22 million noncitizens and 18 million naturalized citizens. Additionally, immigrants are of extremely diverse educational backgrounds. In 2012, 11.6 percent of immigrants had a masters, professional, or doctorate degree, while 69.4 percent had a high school diploma, GED, or higher. Additionally, when it comes to crime, immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans. When it comes down to undocumented immigrants,
Receiving a higher education after high school is almost obligatory in a thriving nation such as the United States. Although this is very common, not every person who desires to complete a college education will actually be able to do so. Yes, schools offer countless opportunities and mentorships to contribute to students’ success, but the crude reality is that not all students who take part in these programs or who incessantly demonstrate their willingness to become successful will actually prosper. A main demographic who encounters hardships after graduating from high school consists of undocumented students. While many of these students demonstrate to be some of the most brilliant and hardworking individuals, a college education will simply