A second class: the real tragedy of illegal immigration

The reason Arizona’s new law SB 1070 is so excruciatingly painful is that the US law has gone unenforced for such a long time. Because America has turned a blind eye to illegal immigration for over a century, people on both sides of the border have become comfortable with that unenforcement. People have adapted to what has been allowed. Citizens want cheap construction, landscaping, and produce and less menial labor. Migrants want opportunity, a high standard of living, and education. And who doesn’t want these things?

For a time, both groups got what they wanted. The housing market was booming. Citizens made lots of money off their properties. Laborers were in high demand, and immigrants and their families made more money than ever before. Everyone benefited!

And everybody lost. Citizens turned a blind eye to the law. Migrants broke the law. And look what happened…

Out of this boom time, a true second class was born. A second class was refused normal human rights like representation in court and responsible health care. A second class was resented for its willingness to work for lower wages. A second class was used and abused, as with 40 men living in a dorm the size of an elementary school classroom on a 100-acre farm. A second class was forced to fend for itself, with the help of the illegal drug trade. A second class splintered into gangs that would make war in their own neighborhoods. Moreover, they've come to resent being ordered around by arrogant citizens.

At the same time, the second class received education for their children, social service benefits and free hospital visits when getting sick, wounded or having children. Immigrants also received higher standards of living, roads, and better housing. In all of this, citizens now resent immigrants for racking up bills and paying no taxes.

A second class. This is the real tragedy of illegal immigration. Whereas citizens and migrants have so much to learn from one another and to benefit one another mutually and a duty to respect one another, because of a blind eye and a resulting second class citizenship, American citizens are now allowed to despise migrants. And as with any two-faced dictator, migrants are allowed to hate citizens.

Each side thinks the other has everything but holds back: free hospital visits vs. representation in court; schooling without taxes vs. neighborhoods where neither the sheriff nor the local hood wants to mess with your family. Nobody here has what they want. Look what we’ve done.

Weep and wail! Everyone! Cry out, because we have all lost our friends and our family. Mourn because we all have chosen to cheat one another for a buck instead of respect one another’s dignity.

Why should I weep? you ask? Because you’re responsible.

If you are reading this, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE.

If you have bought an orange at a grocery store, you’re responsible.

Si no habla usted ingles, usted tiene la culpa.

If you live in a house, of which a single nail was hammered in by a migrant worker, you are responsible.

If you take your child to the emergency room, but not to the doctor, you’re responsible.

If you pay for a cleaning service that hires illegals, you’re responsible.

If you send your child to school in America but don’t pay taxes, you’re responsible.

If you have paid migrant workers less than minimum wage, or if you have smuggled migrant workers into America, then bury your face in the sand, because you need mercy from God more than anyone.

The tragedy is the forming of a second class for the benefit of the first. You may not have broken a law, but you paid someone to do it and now you despise him. Pathetic. You may not have sold an ounce of marijuana, but your friend has sold many ounces of even more potent drugs—and you benefited. Arrogant.

A sour economy has made both migrants and citizens realize they want something more. Citizens want a leaner government that pays less money to hospitals, schools and social services for free services. Immigrants want the rights to be represented in court and to freedom to pursue the so-called American dream.

The law SB 1070 brings into clear focus what has really always been true: there really are no short cuts. What we all perceived as a short cut has really become a terrible problem for everyone.

Should the law be enforced? Yes. Should everyone be treated with dignity? Absolutely. I vote for SB 1070--the law is fair.

Migrants, begin the process for becoming a citizen and disregard the cost. An honest man never lives in the dark.

Citizens, have pity on a migrant worker because he helped you in good faith. You ought to return the favor.

Everyone, stop hating each other because you’re all guilty. Step back and look at yourself. It’s silly.