My parents came here illegally - Why am I here?

Question

I was born in the USA but my parents came here illegaly. Now they are citizens of this country, they vote, and have the same rights as a regular American does.

I am now working as a community helper to give shelter to those homeless people out in the streets, the half of the money ($150,000 yearly) comes from my dad's restaurants.

88% of the homeless people who we pick up are American and Veterans of the 70's war. What would you say about this? Would you consider a good to the American society? The money comes from my parent's life long struggle to have a btter quality life.

I just want to say, that if my parents would have never come to this country, I wouldn't be studying to become a Doctor, and maybe those homeless fellows would still be out in the streets dying of hunger and cold.

I just want people to understand that illegals don't come here to harm, most of them come here to better quality life. Coming to the USA seems to be the easiest option to most of them.

I know they could also rebel against their government, but if they do that, they will eaither die before a change happens or they will end up with the same result, poverty.

If you are ready to answer my question with rude, or anti-illegal immigration answer, I please ask you to think about this in the side view of a fellow who is looking for a better life.

The same thing English people came here to have a religious freedom.

Now ask yourself. What about if the English never came to what is now the USA and stayed in England to try to fight their government [King] for a freedom to do any religion?

Also think about this: the second reason why English left England was because the economy was in crisis. The same happens in Mexico or any other country where poverty rates are high.

Tell me now what you think about the good "illegals" do to this country :)

Thanks for having peaceful answers. I have read researchs [don't know the actual source] where children of undocument immigrants are actually attending college and getting what they could have never got in their parent's country.

And, I do want to make ckear, my parents never recieved anything from the government, execpt now where they ask for bus pass to use the metro system :)

Both of my parents are owners of a large brand of Mexican restaurants in the Northwest.

It does bother me and also to my parents that due to a minority doing harm to the American society, we all lose, just because we are Hispanics and we are all considered illegals, killers, drug dealers...etc

I actually don't consider the uniting Mexico and the USA as a solution, instead as a cause to more horrible results.

They are the owners of the restaurants, though they no longer manage them, but most of the money comes to their pockets.

They are now between 50-55, they are regular citizens and like to use the metro system, they thought having a metro pass like other people in their age would be "nice"

They do have money enough to pay their bus pass, but it's their idea and yes I see it seems a bit contradictory, but I never meant to make it look this way, hope you understand :)

Answer 1

I like immigrants, I hate how they are treated so badly. Most of them do mean good, its not like they come over here to try and destroy us, well most anyways. I believe it has more to do with people being raciest then anything else. If you see a Brit, or a Japanese person they wont hardly get the lashing that mexicans get. People might say its because there isnt as many of them, but thats not it. Mexicans are precieved as a nuisance where the others are not. If I was born in Mexico, im sure I would have done anything I could to come here as well. I think the easiest way to solve this problem would be for, the US govenment to try and do something to unite the 2 countries and make it one country. But we did this, would Mexico as a country rebell against us? Just like most countries we try to help they dont see it as helping and want to fight us. Would Mexico do the same? Even if it means better quality of life for them?

----------------------------------------------------------
After thinking about it, I agree it probably would result in more horrible things. I guess the real issue is just racism. However you must agree that if Mexico was the country that was doing good, and we were the country that wanted to get out of. The mexican community would not accept it either. I can assure you a lot of people in the USA see people as being people. Its just that the ones you hear from are the ones that go out of their way to make things horriable for you. I don't mind other people living in this country. I dont want it to become over populated. thats why I suggest uniting them, so the population doesnt go through the roof. But at the same time, it would even if united. Because the cities are more desirable here. Maybe a better solution would be for us to help Mexico build up their cities and government and so that the mexican people will like us more. And then unite? But then you will still have the hating Americans, complaining that we had to spend our money on them. I guess people just care too much about theirselves, they think if they are giving someone something it is going to kill them.

Answer 2

Many people who are either fearful or just plain ol' don't know any better, fall for the 'illegals are horrible people' scam. We (you and I and many others) know the truth though and ultimately, whether it be years down the line or not, reality will be seen and this will be another drop in the bucket of yet another minority groups struggle to survive in America. No matter what it's just not possible to live an American societies existence without the work of illegals. Illegals will always be here. They do fill a role for what we have become accustomed to and the politicians know this. That's why there is no solution or easy answer they can feed the American public. The deportation would cause a 'not so fun' shift in our economy and then you'd really hear the American people once again complaining about not being able to afford to build and buy.
Such is life it seems. Be strong. And it's great to see HIGH ambitions in your personal life!!

Answer 3

You are obviously a very good person and I am glad to read your question and information here.

However, your parents were obviously recipients of "amnesty" in the past. I am completely AGAINST amnesty this time around because I see that it only encourages more people to come here illegally. As well, it is a way of rewarding those who do come illegally. As well, you are obviously an "anchor baby." Another thing that I am completely against - I believe the anchor baby law needs to be removed from the books and children born in the USA should only receive American citizenship if at least ONE of their parents are legal US citizens at the time of their birth.

Your family are the exception, rather than the rule, as far as illegal immigrants goes. You are obviously of high intelligence, as well. Imagine what you and your intelligence could have done in your own country?? Perhaps in the future you will do something to help your country, with the education you have gained in the US (at the legal taxpayers' expense).

I'm sorry, but although you and your family seem to be honorable and upstanding people, I do not agree with your parents receiving amnesty and you receiving your education here as an anchor baby.

As well, if your parents are so well-to-do now as to have these restaurants, why are they accepting any handouts, whatsoever? You say they now take passes for the metro? Why?

Some of what you say seems a little bit contradictory, sorry.

Answer 4

I congratulate you on how well you have explained your position.

Do you understand that the majority of the people in the US are law abiding citizens who love this this country? It is hard to accept immigrants that exist in the U.S. because they knowingly broke the law. It leads us to characterize those immigrants as "Criminal" or "Dishonest" so we are concerned about these people. We have a hard time believing they are with the intentions of being good citizens. We worry they will avoid taxes, send money across the border, put the Mexican Flag on the back of their car rather than the Red White and Blue one and help more and more illegals to come over here to plunder our good country to benefit themselves. I am not saying I agree with this but trying to explain why there is some hostility about immigrants.

You may have some culturally induced guilt. I know I do about the horrible way we treated the Indians and blacks in our history.

It does seem that there are an awful lot of homeless Veterans out there. It seems that this country does not care about them.

The only cure is kindness and the willingness to try to understand.

Peace

Answer 5

Well, I'd say because it was destiny you'd be here. See, my parents were both born in the US, but my mom is mostly Hispanic, so because I'm not your typical fair-skinned, light-featured white person I get stereotyped as being "from across the border" since I live in Southeast Texas. But what I believe is that God had already decided my life before I got here -- I was to be born to an Irish father & Hispanic mother in the US. You're here because that's where you're supposed to be cuz your fate is pre-determined at birth. I also feel I was pre-destined to be suspended from this forum, so unfortunately I don't think me or Iris will have a profile for much longer.

Answer 6

You are right and I am so proud of what your parents are doing. God Bless Them..and I don't think illegals don't come here to harm others. You won't ever see Americans picking the fields here in the USA. And yes lots of the homeless are Veterans and that is so sad cause they fought for out Country. Your Parents has raised you well Chavo, and best of Luck when you do become that Doctor..God Bless...

Answer 7

Wonderful story Chavo! Reminds me a lot of a very good friend of mine, Jorge.

Jorge came to the US illegally when he was only 17 and alone. I was really the only person he could turn too since I knew his parents. Anyway from a 17 year old illegal he worked his butt off to better himself. He got Amnesty way back during the Reagan era and he sure didn't let it go to waste. By the time he was 21 he was a US citizen, god I remember all those nights drilling him on the names of US Presidents and all the states. Then at around 25 he decided to start his own business, pool tiler and nothing has been able to slow him down since. His business now brings in over a million dollars a year, he owns 3 homes here in the US and like 4 in Mexico. He got married to a Mexican National, got her legalized and they are now on their 2nd child. He also got brought his widowed mother, his older and younger brother and sister in law and moved them into one of his homes, all legally of course.

Goes to prove if you really wish to live the American dream it's there for the taking. Not all illegals try to skirt the laws and wish ill will on Americans. Many such as yourself (parents too!) and my friend Jorge just want a better life.

Answer 8

Illegal immigrants are individuals and come here for different reasons. However, what you're saying is that you're legal, right? What do your parents do for a living? Are they helping the homeless as well? I'm NOT railing against your parents, I just don't quite understand your point.

However, I do admire you for your own good work and I wish you all the best.

Answer 9

We understand, especially here in Texas, you are here for the good of this country like anyone else. Without "illegals" we lose an important part of our economy, and in your case a good citizen in the community and an important person in Yahoo Answers. Just think, without you both Cyrus and myself would either be suspended from this forum by now or still wondering if Customer Care is capable of removing clones of other users, lol. Thanks for everything!

Answer 10

your parents did the write thing they became legal citizens. it's the ones who come here illegally and rape are children and are system. if they want to be here so bad then let them pay. and your parents are doing what alot of Americans are doing and did before them. helping the homeless. now ask your self a question, why are they homeless. ask them they may tell you. i have, there tired of are gov doing what there doing to the American people. the only reason the American gov(republican) let the illegals in is because of money.