PT-LawMom

This article in the New York Times suggests that the immigration bill collapsed Friday because opponents of the bill were mobilized and angry while supporters were happy about the legislation but not making much noise since it seemed likely to pass.

I can understand the objections of some of those featured in this article. Here’s the thing. If you have been through the LEGAL immigration process and have seen how arbitrary, frustrating and drawn out it can be, you would understand the need for reform. You would also see the wonderful benefits this country has to offer to immigrants and you might appreciate that
the United States is a country founded by immigrants. So, yes, I support immigrants and want a smooth path for people to come to this country. But just like anything that provides a benefit, it can be abused. A lot of the talk is about actions of a very small minority. If only people could meet more of the wonderful immigrant families who came here to live the American Dream and worked hard to achieve it. It’s sad to see the racist sentiments expressed in this article, especially since it’s slanted heavily towards Hispanics. Perhaps it’s naive of me, but I think people need to have a little more faith that others’ intentions aren’t to cheat, steal and lie.

Rather than judging the actions of others, let’s work together to find a way for blue collar workers to provide necessary services here in a way that benefits both them and the United States? Let’s give pregnant women delivering in the U.S. the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps they were fleeing abuse or starvation in their homeland? The point is that we just don’t know and for every story of someone who came here to abuse the system in any way they could and commit crimes, there are probably 100 more stories of people who are good, honest, hard-working souls just looking to support their families.