For a country that was taken over by immigrants, isn’t so inviting towards current immigrants. Immigrants that yearn for the same freedom the founders wished for when they took over this country. According to pewhispanic.org eleven million is the number that has been repeatedly mentioned, Nationwide, when immigration has come up. Eleven million is the number of undocumented, illegal humans that have crossed waters, land, and air to make it to the land of opportunity. Most of the unwelcomed immigrants that are here now have created a home here for over 20 years or more. These immigrants have been Living, working, educating themselves in the shadows amongst the American with the ambition to branch out one day and live with no fear of deportation. The fight was no deportation for those who came here with the mindset to succeed in whatever they do and to have a better way of life.

Through all the fight, protesting, social media blasts, and more little was accomplished. However, throughout all the years the voice for acknowledgement grew and grew until a young generation of dreamers could be silenced no more. Many organizations like Chicano Por La Causa and United We Dream, have taken the importance of their existence to the next level. Dreamers are young undocumented students that strive for equality of education, working availability, drivers’ licenses, and legal residency. These Dreamers were brought without a choice when they were young and see no place else but America as their own home.

This has become a huge issue in the United States because many Americans feel like many undocumented immigrants have come to steal their empty jobs and only come for financial support from the government. However as cited from in article in seiu.org, Immigrants actually create more jobs by opening their own businesses, spending their money on American goods, buying homes, and paying taxes. Undocumented immigrants don’t qualify for food stamps or most of government aid so they are not receiving government help, unlike unemployed Americans.

Arizona is one of the states that will not pass a decent bill to help Dreamers. As cited in www.msnbc.com, “States like Alabama and Arizona laid out a plan: Make life for undocumented immigrants living there so inhospitable that it would drive immigrant communities out of the state.” Arizona will deny a drivers license for a mom trying to drive her kids to school, or a student trying to get to class, or a father trying to get to work to provide for his family. Arizona is denying in-state tuition for undocumented students that are searching for a better future. In the article by www.msnbc.com it states and quotes Guillermo Cantor, senior policy analyst at AIC, “Greater economic opportunity for young undocumented immigrants translates into more taxable income for the region, And rather than having a generation of kids trapped in the shadows, more are now able to contribute to their communities and become active members in a society they have called home for most of their lives.” This proves how in 19 states reasoning has come; meanwhile in Arizona we are still left fighting.

All this fight is in your backyard. Fifty students took a survey, here at Sierra Linda, to see if they knew and agreed with the current immigration policy, if they’re family were affected by immigration issues and what reasons should an undocumented immigrant be allowed to stay.

The results are as presented, half of those 50 are affected by immigration related issues, yet most didn’t even know what the policy was and agreed with Obamas latest immigration reform that left many behind. This is because many are not fully informed and uneducated of what’s going on around them. The problem with that is that it means students are losing a battle that they must win for a better future. At SLHS, Immigrations needs attention. In the Community, knowing immigration policies and being involved in movements need to take place more often.

Undocumented, American born, a Sierra Linda student or a whole organization in Arizona, your voice matters. For your personal future, for knowing what’s happening in our own country and for a better way of life. Immigration happens all around us in every country, every continent, the difference is that America is based on being the land of opportunity, the land that is built on diversity. Whether you come from Mexico, Philippines, china, Honduras, India or anywhere around the world America is based off of you. Families that have lived here for so long deserve to stay. Students and families in this community need to stay educated, positive and active. Great things will happen.

For more information on immigration movements and more visit these websites.

https://www.cplc.org/

http://unitedwedream.org/home/

http://www.scholarshipsaz.org/wp/

Links cited in the story:

http://www.pewhispanic.org/2014/09/03/as-growth-stalls-unauthorized-immigrant-population-becomes-more-settled/ph-2014-09-03-immigration-01/

http://www.seiu.org/a/immigration/they-take-our-jobs-debunking-immigration-myths.php

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/states-pick-pieces-congress-immigration-reform-fail