Many articles have been written about undocumented immigrant children, or children who were born here from undocumented immigrant parents. The main known problem is the education, but there is another one, not pleasant to see: when you see children worry about problems beyond their control and beyond their maturity level. This week, everyone saw the little girl asking Michelle Obama if her mom, “who doesn’t have papers”, would be deported (to watch the video, click here). Yesterday, in a Brazilian meeting about immigration, there was a 15-year-old worried about being deported herself. The two of them should be worried about issues related to their ages: dolls and games, boyfriends and prom, not worried if they are going to stay here if their parents are gone, or what to do when the Immigration agent knocks at their doors.
The first girl was born in the United States from undocumented parents; the second was born in Brazil, but immigrated so early in her life that her self-identity is of an American. At least, half-American. In both cases, we must ask what makes a person identify with a given place as his/her nationality. Is the soil, or is the culture? Is the blood, or are the values and the language?
In both cases, it is not their fault. In both cases, they are here longer than they were anywhere else. In both cases, they are learning and internalizing American culture, values and ways of being. In both cases, is it fair to send them back ever? (The ironic ones would answer, at this point, that the little girl can stay because she is American citizen, as if a little girl could be left alone like that)
After the Arizona state passed that ignominious law, the heat of the discussion about the immigration issue has been up, and it will be even more heated in the next months. Soon, the Obama administration and the Congress will have no way out, but to go ahead with the Immigration Reform. It is an imperfect bill, with several important points missing, and without a clear possibility of amnesty, but still a bill that will address many issues. But you can make it better, writing to your politicians, and requesting them to provision the amnesty, to include the Dream Act, and to address the issues as those ones above. You can also use he site Politap, clicking here, or you can go directly to the Senate or House’s website. Just don’t be quiet about that.
To read more about immigration issues, click here.
To read about children and immigration, click here
