Arguing Immigration
Reactions to recent anti-immigration legislationby Denisse Moreno.Political science major Ysaira Paulino, who was born in the Dominican Republic, remembers how not too long ago her immigration status deeply affected her life. "I had to pay out of pocket and even had to drop out [of school] for a while because I was unable to afford it," says Paulino, 26. "I also had trouble finding a job," she says.Even though Paulino is now a permanent U.S. resident, her troubles may not be over as lawmakers across the country propose anti-immigration laws. She and many, many others-including some CCNY students-wonder how those laws will affect them and their loved ones who are not permanent residents or U.S. citizens.The tough anti-immigration laws proposed in 37 states have triggered widespread debate. It's been a year since Arizona governor Jan Brewer signed the controversial SB1070 into law. This legislation makes it a misdemeanor for an "alien" to be in Arizona without carrying documents that prove his or her U.S. citizenship. In Texas alone, more than 100 immigration-related laws are pending, including legislation that would prevent undocumented students from getting state tuition and scholarships. Following the Senate's failure to pass the Dream Act, which would have given students the opportunity to attend college and apply for citizenship, U.S. college students from all over the world are left in limbo.Siddiq Mohammed, an AD/PR major and journalism minor, is afraid for people he knows. "I know a lot of immigrants that could potentially get deported," says Mohammed, 21. "It's unfair to them because they were brought here by their family members and by no choice of their own."It's also hitting Mohammed very close to home. "My father faces deportation but he has a work authorization and pays his taxes, so I do not understand why they would deport him. He even has a clean track record," says Mohammed, whose family is originally from Trinidad and Tobago.Stephany Castrillon, a political science major who immigrated from Colombia and is now a permanent resident, is concerned about how immigrants are treated in this country. "I have a couple of friends who I went to high school with that were excellent students; really talented and hardworking kids," says Castrillon, 21. "All this talent is now going to waste because they can't get a higher education, and they are stuck working for minimum wage or even less. It's just not fair that they are not given the opportunity to succeed," she argues.Paulino believes that the government should give the immigrants who are already in the United States a chance to make good. "I am not saying to open the borders, but create programs that allow fair migrant worker programs, and a way to allow immigrants already living in the U.S. a path to citizenship," she says.Mohammed and Castrillon both agree with Paulino, and believe that immigrants should be allowed to stay-and thrive--especially hard-working students. "Illegal immigrants are here trying to get a better life, working the jobs that many legal citizens would never do," says Castrillon.With all the anti-immigration legislation proposed, most CCNY students think that "profiling" laws like the Arizona SB1070, will not fix the problem in the America."Going around asking those who "look" like illegal immigrants for legal documentation is not the solution to the problem," says Castrillon. "It is stereotypical and discriminative."
