During the early 1900s, the United States of America was referred to as the world’s melting pot due to the variety of cultures searching for what many referred to as the American Dream. Although that was almost a century ago, the pursuit of the American Dream still exists today; in fact in 2013 it was estimated that 41.3 million immigrants lived in the U.S. However, that number only includes those who have earned their citizenship.
Roughly 11 million more immigrants are here illegally, which has become quite the topic in the GOP race. But no matter which side one supports, there is a lot of animosity between viewpoints when realistically there are valid arguments on both sides.
When dealing with illegal immigration people seem to think that just because the word illegal is present, all people associated are criminals. In reality a lot of them are seeking freedom from poverty and a better life.
[INSTEAD OF INTRODUCING ME TO THE BROAD TOPIC, THEN THE MAN, TURN IT AROUND. START WITH THE MAN AND HIS SPECIFIC SITUATION, THEN EXPLAIN SOME BACKGROUND ABOUT THE BROADER ISSUE IF YOU THINK I NEED TO HEAR IT. HE IS THE HOOK FOR THIS, BECAUSE I’VE ALREADY READ ABOUT THE GENERAL TOPIC. TOWARD THAT END, CONSIDER GIVING HIM A NAME TO IMPROVE THE HOOK, OR JUST USE HIS FIRST NAME IF YOU’VE GOT IT. THAT WON’T IDENTIFY HIM IN A TROUBLE-CAUSING WAY FOR HIS FAMILY.]
Speaking from personal experience I had a conversation with a man, who was illegal and he was very transparent about his lifestyle. He didn’t try and hide it, but was honest about his situation and his sole goal was to support a family. [CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW YOU KNOW HE WAS TELLING THE TRUTH? SOME READERS WILL DOUBT THAT.]
Now it’s understandable when people speak out against illegal immigrants, even against those like the man above, because they often do not pay taxes, which has been another hot topic in this year’s presidential race.
But in this man’s situation, he is payed [PAID] far below minimum wage and worked one of the harder and more dangerous construction jobs all while trying to support a family of a wife and three kids. [MORE SPECIFICS. IS HE STILL WORKING NOW? WHAT WAS HIS PAY? IS IT LEGAL FOR HIM TO ONLY MAKE THAT MUCH? WHAT CITY? WHAT IS THIS DANGEROUS JOB? IS THE FAMILY WITH HIM?]
What people don’t often realize is how hard it is to become a legal citizen. Natural born citizens have a tendency to think that the process is quick and easy, when in reality many immigrants are unable to afford the process, which is why they come illegally instead.
In fact, at this point the man said he has been in the country for ten years illegally, but really has nothing to his name. Now that might sound like an issue of laziness, but at this point if he tries to do anything, he and his family will be deported.
Although deportation seems like a justifiable punishment for illegal immigration, it often results in pain and sometimes even death for those who are deported. The man said if they were to get deported, they would live in fear everyday of being victimized by the cartel and Mexican government. [JUST BECAUSE MEXICO IS DANGEROUS, OR ESPECIALLY BECAUSE HE’S COMING IN FROM YEARS IN THE U.S.?]
Clearly there is a problem, but what is the solution? Obviously, we can’t base all our decisions on sympathy and compassion, because there is a real threat of danger and terrorism if we just let anyone and everyone into the U.S. But the fact is threatening to build a wall and showing hate or animosity toward each other and two [TO?] these people has a longer lasting negative effect than people, who are in search of a better life, moving here illegally. [BETTER REPHRASE THAT LAST SENTENCE. KIND OF RAMBLING.]
