Undocumented students and the media
 

Interest in immigration and the fate of undocumented students comes and goes in the media.

We need to capitalize on whatever attention the media gives to this issue. We can do this by asserting this situation more firmly.

With that in mind, I have developed a short set of key points that need to be emphasized. Please look at this list and give me feedback. If something is factually wrong let me know how and why. If you feel strongly that something needs to be added, post it in this thread.

Key Points in Q & A Format:

1) Didn't undocumented students come here illegally?

-Not all undocumented students came to the US illegally.
-The vast majority of undocumented students were under age at the date of entry. They did not choose to break the law, their parents decided for them. As a result, they are being punished for a crime they did not choose to commit.

2) Aren't undocumented students going to take jobs away from citizens?

-The United States is currently facing job shortages in a number of fields. Undocumented students can fill many of these jobs which will only benefit the economy.
-Without taking away from foreign workers, many companies are currently actively recruiting workers from foreign countries. Undocumented students are already in the US. They are more familiar with American values and are more likely to share in them. They can assimilate better into the workforce and work better in American corporate culture. They have a better grasp of American English and Americanized accents, making them better communicators and more capable than foreign-born workers.
-Undocumented students are driven and motivated, hungry for freedom and success. The desire to work and participate is strong among undocumented students.

3) Can undocumented students really contribute to America?

-See previous question.
-Undocumented students who are legalized will contribute through their taxpayer contributions. They will be a talented addition to the American workforce. Undocumented college graduates will contribute to the American progress in various fields such as technology and medicine.
-The lifelong pursuit of justice among undocumented students will result in a strong showing in legal fields.

4) Won't you add strain to our welfare system?

-Undocumented students study and are driven to study. An education will result in higher likelihood of getting a job and a lower chance of ending up on welfare.
-Undocumented students are potential taxpayers that will actually contribute more to the system than they take out.

5) Undocumented students don't pay taxes, do they?

-Most undocumented people, students or not want to pay taxes and many of them do. Removing barriers to legalization will allow them ti work and contribute more to state coffers.
-Undocumented people would do anything to be able to legalize their status. This not only includes paying taxes and back taxes, but even paying fines if necessary.

6) Aren't undocumented students criminals?

-See question (1)
-Many undocumented students and even non-students have a clean criminal record and no history of crimes.

7) Isn't legalizing undocumented students unfair to legal immigrants?

-Many legal immigrants have relatives who are undocumented and far from feeling resentment, they would LOVE to be able to see their relatives legalized.
-Many legal immigrants who look to enter the United States are already thriving in their home countries. The real injustice is against undocumented students who are more familiar with American society, have roots in America, more social, emotional, cultural and historical connections, have spent years on American soil and have contributed to American society.

8) Can undocumented students even assimilate into American society? Can they even speak the language?

-Seriously? Are you really gonna ask me that? If these students can graduate American high schools and succeed in college, you think they can't assimilate or speak the language?

9) Won't legalization lead to more illegals crossing the border?

-No way. The last legalization effort was in 1986. If this rate of legalization continues, illegal immigrants will have to wait another quarter of a century to legalize their status. Will illegals be willing to spend 25 years of their lives in the shadows, in order to get legalized? No way!