Immigration

Where you came from is a huge part of who you are. Everyone, aside from the original inhabitants of the new world, came here for one reason or another, but more often than not, it was in order to give you, their descendants, the opportunity of a better life. Americans aren't bound by blood, but rather by the beliefs and principles that they hold and share. Everyone who came to this country came in order to pursue "the American dream" which I believe means something different for everyone. Unfortunately, throughout the history of America and even today, immigrants have been mistreated and ostracized by those that came here before them. I think so many have lost sight of, or simply choose to ignore the fact that their ancestors themselves had gone through the same treatment that they inflict on the new immigrants that come into the country. It really is selfish and ignorant to think that someone doesn't have the right to be here simply because they came after you or your ancestors did. Now, that doesn't mean I'm all for illegal immigration. I recognize that the law is the law, but I also recognize the fact that so many who wish to pursue the American dream don't have the money or connections to immigrate legally and obtain citizenship. I don't think, however, that means that we should round up undocumented immigrants and deport them. I think there should be clear and concrete steps in order to gain citizenship as well as incentives to do so. Also, people need to stop with the whole "immigrants are taking our jobs" crap. They take the jobs that nobody else wants to. Many of them take the jobs at the bottom of the barrel and work themselves to the bone in order to simply send money to their families back home. Let's be real, you wouldn't even think about taking the jobs that they are willing to do. A big aspect of xenophobia is a fear of the unknown. It's the fear of cultures that you don't understand and it's the fear that those cultures might overtake your own. This is the epitome of an irrational fear. As long as you practice and maintain the traditions of your family and your own culture, nobody is going to overtake that. New immigrants from different parts of the world don't replace anything in America, they just add to it, and that's really beautiful and amazing when you think about it. There really isn't one singular culture of America, rather there is a melding of all the different cultures and traditions and what they bring to the table. That's the one thing that really makes this country stand out and it's one of the biggest reasons that people want to come here in the first place.