Immigration is, without a doubt, the most hot-button issue in the United States, especially with the President who took office in late January. This topic hits close to home for me because even though my parents came here legally, regardless of that, the core of it all was to search for a better life not only for themselves but for their children.
I was born in the United States, and under the 14th Amendment I was given citizenship status, even though my mom was not yet a citizen, she had her papers and came here with a visa. Throughout her time in the U.S., she didn’t get her citizenship until 2012.
Did I have more rights than her from the moment I was born? Did I have more rights than a kid who came across the border in search of a better life?
These are questions that race through my mind as I see the news unfold of mass deportations and wanting to push immigrants out of a country that was built by immigrants. The irony is on full display for the world to see.
I also asked one of Neumann University’s Spanish Professors, Sister Linda Sariego, her thoughts on the issue and she said, “They’re saying that all these people are criminals, and they’re all not. They just want a better life.”
According to Statista, an estimated 4,745 Latin American immigrants have been deported as of February 5th. These numbers are a disturbing reality and as someone who has personally been affected by it, it truly is something that I feel very passionately about, and my hope is that whoever else has been affected by this can find solace that they are not alone in this and that things will get better.
If anyone is struggling, I also suggest turning towards the wellness center as it is there for us students when we need it.
