We know a Mexican family with four fine sons. Two were born in the United States; two in Mexico. All four boys have lived here their entire lives save for a year or two when they were babies. Now the two boys – the “Mexican” citizens – have been given two glorious years to live without fear, to have “real” papers, to have real hope for a future in a country they see as their own and to which they want to give back with their hard work and good citizenship. They are exceptional boys – great athletes, students, and sons – and they are part of what makes our country great – people with a dream to better themselves and provide hope and stability for the families they will create. They exemplify the American dream.
The parents of these boys are two of the finest people I’ve met in my life. They, too, are hard-working and decent. People you’d be happy to know as friends and neighbors; people you would entrust you children to because you would know instinctively that they are such good and honest people. And yet, they have lived for years in fear of being discovered and sent back to a country where they can no longer live because there is no economic future for them there. They both work every day, they have taught their sons to work everyday as well, and though they love their native land, they are keenly aware that after so many years here, there is nothing there for them anymore. No job, no home, little to no family. They only wish is to stay in this country and continue to be the good people they are, and to be able to remain near their children who also want and need to stay here.
This family is only one of those 11 million people who have been living this nightmare for too long. It is time to give them the opportunity to openly be counted in the country where they have been living for almost 30 years. Critics will say, “They came here illegally and they need to go back to where they came from.” I would say, “They came here for a better life, which they have accomplished. Let them stay here and contribute their talents to this country, THEIR country.
Each of those four sons of our friends is doing well. One manages a local gym, another is finishing his Bachelor’s degree, another is in school to become a licensed electrician, the last one will graduate from high school next year. Not one of these boys has been or will be a drain on our society. The opposite is actually the case: they will aid and abet our society with their talents, just as their parents have done the entire time that they have lived in the United States. It is time to give them the one gift that they seek: immigration reform so they can finally relax and call this country their home.
We have already begun to severely curtail illegal immigration at our borders. Let’s face as a nation that we have 11 million people who already call the United States their home. Let’s give those who have been law-abiding an eventual path to citizenship so they can continue to contribute to the benefit of our society and also pay taxes on their wages.
We are a country of immigrants. Let’s never forget the hope our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents brought with them to this new land, where they dreamed of a new and better life. Let’s pass along that opportunity to people who want to continue to live in a country that they love. Support immigration reform today and encourage others you know to do the same. It is time for a change and that time is NOW.
20 Minutes a Day 
Interesting article, Len. Why hasn’t this upstanding family become citizens already?
There are no easy answers to that question. Fear that any effort he made would jeopardize him and his family, I expect. There are many, many people who live under the rader exactly for this reason – that they will be deported and separated from their families.
Too bad it’s been such a long journey for this family. I wonder why too.
As someone whose SO is a Mexican immigrant – documented – but has relatives “over here” who are not, I applaud your sentiments, Len. My SO has mixed feelings about undocumented people because his family worked hard and sacrificed much to do it “the right way,” but he also understands the desire for freedom and a simple chance to do better. Still, even though his family came here legally – they got “green cards” – they never felt completely safe. For that reason, his mother and father, in their 70s, learned enough English and American history to become citizens. Now they can never be sent back. About half of his brothers and sisters have also become citizens but while the others have jobs and homes and families and they’re “legal,” they still don’t feel completely safe even though this is essentially the only home they’ve ever had. It is not an easy situation to remedy. It’s easy enough to find solutions when you don’t know any people who will be affected by those solutions but another story indeed when they’re people instead of numbers or abstractions.
Len, I agree with you wholeheartedly. If it were not for Mexicans, I would not have the house I live in. And a lot of us would not be eating the fabulous vegetables we eat either. I better stop before I really get going.
Yes, I realize I had to step down off the soapbox, Juliana, before I went into real preaching mode. Thanks for understanding!
Haave you seen the video, “A Day Without Mexicans”? It was thought-provoking and humorous all at the same time.
Sam, I may have to find that video. I’m sure it had both truth and humor in it! Also, thank you for your earlier supportive response to my blog post. I appreciate it. These issues are indeed multi-faceted and difficult to figure out, but it does help if we remember that these are real people with real lives. I am hopeful for some kind of reform. We are at a moment when both Democrats and Republicans are talking about how to make a positive change. That is BIG! Fingers are crossed.
I was a little bit off on the title but Google found it all the same. *G* As might be expected, American reviews were lukewarm and while it wasn’t the kind of film you can rave about, it sticks with you.
A Day Without a Mexican is a 2004 film directed by Sergio Arau. It offers a satirical look at the consequences of all the Mexicans in the state of California suddenly disappearing (with a mysterious “pink fog” surrounding the state preventing any communication or movement with the outside world). A series of characters show the apparent statistical impact of Mexicans on California’s economy, law enforcement and education systems as well as the resulting social unrest.
The film opened on May 14, 2004 in limited release throughout Southern California and on September 17 in theaters in Chicago, Texas, Florida and New York City.
This was Eduardo Palomo’s last film before he died of a heart attack.
I will look this up. I believe Ray and I would enjoy this sort of film. Thanks so much!