A Modern Form of Racism

Illegal immigration has been a leading factor of discussion in politics since the 1700's. Many see unfairness in illegal immigrants taking their jobs, and maybe even being in higher ranking occupations. In order to fix this problem, states like Arizona have passed laws that allow police officers to randomly search anyone of whom they assume could be an illegal immigrant. There is much controversy on this law, however, because many see it as a racist act.

During the industrialization period, immigrants where mainly of Irish or Chinese descent. Later in the 1900's it was the Italians. Now in the twenty-first century, the majority of immigrants are from Mexico. So, while currently there are a lot of immigrants from other places besides Mexico, Hispanics as a whole are being targeted. New laws expect everyone to carry around their citizenship papers in the possibility that he or she might be questioned. Everyone meaning if you happen to "look" like an immigrant.

Based on the author's questioning on whether or not the government's way solving the issue will improve, she is not for the new immigration  laws. She states that even from the  very beginning of construction of America, most Americans were immigrants. While describing the conflict in Arizona she quotes people who are on either side in the debate."It's a law based on racism. I know a lot of people who are afraid of going out in the street. They just take their children to school and go right home. They feel like their safety is threatened." -- Gamboa, a U.S citizen, son of illegal immigrants. Gaheen is someone who feels very strongly against any illegal immigrant. The author, Patricia Smith, chose two very opposing opinions to show the severity of the issue at its most.

I can understand both point of views, for instance, being angered that someone who is illegally living in the U.S. got the job you wanted--needed. At the same time though, there must be other ways to solve the problem of illegal immigration. I agree completely when Gamboa says it is a law based on racism because it discriminates against Hispanics. I think that instead of deporting people who may or may not be an illegal immigrant, the government should just create a more structured way in preventing more from entering. There is no real ethical way of removing the immigrants who are already in the U.S., seeing that everyone deserves a better life and new beginning. Because there are over 11 million illegal immigrants already in America, I don't see the benefits in making it harder for people like them to succeed. Overall, any law that is passed needs to be fair to all the races and nationalities that make our nation.

Bibliography:

• Smith, Patricia. "The Great Immigration Debate." Upfront New York Times Magazine 6 Sep. 2010. 13 Jan. 2013

• <http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/upfront/features/index.asp?article=f090610_Immigration>.