Many people misunderstand immigration issue

Margarito Ramirez came to the United States 22 years ago to work and start a new life. Catching chickens for a large poultry corporation in the DeQueen area, Ramirez was able to make enough money to help support his 13 brothers and sisters back in Mexico.

Today, Ramirez is a U.S. citizen, but he longs for the day when his other family members, who still live in Mexico, can legally join him in the United States. I told Ramirez's story several years ago in an article for the Democrat-Gazette's Tri-Lakes Edition. I feel that it's even more pertinent today.

The marches and protests that are currently underway in support of illegal immigrants who live in this country baffle me. Why? Because it's not right to grant these illegal residents amnesty to work and live in this country when people like Ramirez have fought for many years to become legal the hard way.

I don't understand how anyone can march in support of something like this. All of the illegals in this country have just as much chance of becoming legal as Ramiez did, yet they don't want to wait the many years that it may take for their citizenship to come through.

And what about future immigrants? How is it fair to only ignore the laws for the illegals who are here now, then later enforce them against a new set of people coming into this country?

If our government officials grant millions of illegal immigrants full rides to stay here and work, I will lost what little respect I have for them. I say let the illegals go back home if they don't like this country and the way we are treating them. We have immigration laws for a reason. And they must be enforced.

Another point many people try to make is that illegals are "doing jobs that Americans don't want to do." That simply isn't true. Make the large corporations like Tyson shell out money to lure Americans into jobs once held by illegals. It's not that Americans don't want to work the jobs illegals currently hold, it's that the corporations don't want to pay higher wages Americans demand.

Now is the time for everyone to stand up for what's right. No matter how you look at it, an illegal immigrant is just that, illegal. There is nothing right about making them instantly legal, and it's ludicrous for protesters to think that illegals deserve the right to become American citizens overnight.

Make them earn it.

Above photo: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/BOB COLEMAN
An estimated 50 Springdale students, mostly junior high school students, march through downtown Springdale on Emma Street Friday morning to protest U.S. immigration policies. Students were concerned how the U.S. policies would affect their future and the lives of their parents. 3/31/06