The Immigration Issue

I take heart at Dr. Sunshine's recent blog entitled A Question of Immigration.  I too have had the unfortunate incident of having students with immigration problems.  What strikes me when these issues occur is how oblivious we as Americans really are concerning immigration.  Keeping with the tone of this blog is the undeniable issue that immigration has been a problem in the US for over a hundred years and yet we still do not fully understand the issues that underlie the problem.  The typical response to the issue is that when one hears the word "immigration" one automatically has a picture of someone from south of the border.  As one encounters the issue of immigration in education, one becomes increasingly exposed to the fact that this is an issue that covers any number of individuals form all over the globe.  Recently, I had the misfortune of having to fail a student in one of my classes who was from China.  He was in a panic that he might get deported.  I an not entirely sure if that could have been the case as I did see him return to campus the next semester.  But, I don't think that he genuinely was trying to scam me in order for me to be more lenient.  Nevertheless, that incident really shocked me to the point that I had a discussion with my department chair.  As an American we have never had to worry about deportation.  It really brings home the reality of how lucky one can be.  It also speaks volumes that despite the very difficult immigration laws people still want to come here. 

As Americans we do not have to prove legitimately why we should be here.  We are granted citizenship automatically upon birth.  I often wonder if children should be given conditional citizenship until they are 18 and can pass a citizenship test.  Perhaps that would help raise the level of patriotism.  Although, I am sure that this is not likely to happen.  What has become evident over the last 20 or more years is that the immigration issue is not a simple issue.  It is not just a matter of deporting those who are not citizens and are here illegally.  The issue has become more complex and, frankly, unforgiving.  What do we do with the children of illegals who have been here all their lives and never knew that they were not citizens?  Granted, we can say that it is the parents' fault for not seeking citizenship themselves.  But many high school graduates have just recently become aware that they cannot go to college because they are not citizens.  This is especially true of poor students who would need to rely on financial aid.  They are not eligible for student loans or grants from the federal government despite the fact that their parents have paid taxes. Often, these students are the ones getting the high gpa's coming out of high school.  Talk about the sins of the parents being forced upon the children.  Now what do we do about it?  That is the the $64 billion dollar question. 

I do think that one answer is simple.  We all have to recognize that whatever solution that develops, it will not be fair to everyone.  No matter what decisions are made in Washington, there will be those who will be treated unfairly.  Once we realize this we can come to the realization that there is no one size fits all remedy.  The must be a new path to citizenship for those who want it.  And there must be some way to document guest workers.  I don't have solutions but I have heard some interesting ideas and as long as we keep an open mind a reasonable solution might be achieved.  Though I doubt that it can be done in a Presidential Campaign year; the politicians will propose solutions but have no real clear answers. One will find that once in office they will have to compromise with those whom they have opposed during the election year.