Dreaming....

Recently there has been issues towards immigrations and this has affect immigrant students. This is an issue that directly affects me, which is the reason I have decided to write about this. About two years ago I wrote a speech, which I presented to my avid class, about immigrant students and why I thought we deserved a road to citizenship.

       
          I feel sorry for undocumented students who, for being born 20 miles in the wrong direction, cannot go to college. Actually they can go to college they just cannot apply for financial aid. Like everyone knows college is not the cheapest thing in the world. Most people born in the U.S think that we have to set rules and that we can’t educate the world. To those people I say that we can at least try to educate the world.Is a smarter world not a better one? In this country we pride ourselves on the belief that all people are created equal. Yet it is unequal and Un-American to deny opportunities for progression just because you are not born in the right place. I also feel that fear is one main reason the government won’t give immigrant students a try. We can’t let that stop us from helping young minds grow and ultimately help the society for the greater good. Which brings me to my last point: This country bases itself on the best and the brightest and if the best and the brightest are illegal immigrants is that a good enough reason to not let them contribute to society. Undocumented students want to help improve the U.S., the country that promises all people unlimited opportunities so long as they are willing to work hard. This is why I believe that if undocumented students graduate high school and intend to go to college, they should be able to attain automatic citizenship in the U.S.   

A great man once said “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”(JFK). This is the question that most undocumented students now a days ask themselves when choosing what career they want to pursue. I think the reason for this is that most undocumented students live in places where the problems in our society are the most noticeable. This catalyzes them to try to make this country a better one. However the same reasons that inspire them to succeed are the same reasons they cannot. There is no federal or state law that prohibits the admission of undocumented immigrants to U.S colleges and Universities (public or private). However you still need money and in order to receive money from the state you need to be a citizen.

Fear might be one of the main reasons that the government won’t give undocumented students a pathway to citizenship. Fear is the reason the Dream Act was not passed, The Republicans just think it’s another way of amnesty. Knowledge is power and you do not want to give power to 65,000 undocumented students who might be a threat. This the same fear that made people not want to educate the slaves in the past. Fear is just a thick fog that blocks out the sunshine of hope. That hope for all undocumented students is the opportunity for higher education. The chance to better ourselves and inspire the rest to better themselves in one way or another. This is what they fear that all of the cheap labor they get from immigrants will decrease if all of them start to better themselves and go for better jobs. Which might lead to immigrants having jobs in power and they do not want that.

This country is one of the best because of all the rights and freedoms it gives to its people. This country learned that people deserve freedom through suffering the same problems with England. The Bill of Rights is a testimony to that belief and it applies to all people living in the U.S not only the ones born here. So why is it that immigrants are treated like they have no rights and do not belong? To exemplify this discrimination take the Arizona law that is aim to identify, prosecute, and deport illegal immigrants. This bill undermines the fairness and equality that most Americans cherish. These acts makes me think that the U.S. has not yet learned about equality and fairness enough.  

This speech might not influence the entire planet, it might never be heard outside this room. It might never be heard by a senator or the president. However that does not mean that it is not affecting important people. In my opinion the most important person this speech will affect is you a regular U.S citizen. Like one of my favorite idols said,” Be the change you want to see in the world”. I have made that change I hope this speech inspires you to make that change as well.