Achieving children that are now adults….?

Question

I know the following is rare, but please consider the scenario and tell me what you think.
Bob came into the US illegally. He was two years old and was brought in by his mother. Obviously, he had no choice in doing what they did.
He went to public school. During high school, Bob excelled in all of his classes. He took AP courses and graduated within the top 10% of his class. He got into college. He graduates college again with honors and receives his degree in science. All throughout his life, he has had no criminal record whatsoever.
Although now has a degree, he cannot work because of his legal status.

Would you consider Bob an asset to the US? In your opinion, should he have the opportunity to become legal and work in his area of study? Again the scenario is rare, but I would like to know your opinions on it.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Some want special consideration given to Bob because its not his fault he was brought here. After all, his mother broke the law. But if you analyze it even deeper, neither Bob nor his mother were born in the US and did not get to choose to be born here. In fact, none of us gets to choose where we are born. I'm sure if we could, billions would choose the US. So why are we so hard on folks who want to live in a place better than the place they were born? If you were born in a third world country wouldn't you want to escape? We do have to have rules here in this country, though, otherwise we have all kinds of corruption going on. People get upset when they hear of illegal immigration because they are afraid of the corruption that comes with it. After all, if you're willing to break the law to come here, what other laws are you willing to break?
O.K. I don't know how to solve all problems but I think I can at least speak for Bob's situation. Now that you are in the US, and the US government has already invested in you through public schooling, the US government should be wise with its use of its budget.
Just my opinion, but there needs to be some type of law granting work authorization to Bob. If the US government dropped the ball in catching his parents and deporting the family then the wise thing for the government to do would be to allow Bob to at least work and give back to the US through taxes and some sort of little fine. The very fact that he is working at all is a blessing to the country because anyone unemployed is gaining assisted living from someone and thereby being a "care-receiver" instead of a "caregiver." If God has granted a person the use of their limbs, a capable mind and many talents, why would a government refuse to take advantage of that person's resources? That would be just stupid. If Bob is willing to work, and work professionally without being crooked and perverse in his business, I say let him do so. It would probably be a good idea to review his righteous dealings with business and community through a certain number of years and then grant him permanent residency and US citizenship with the understanding that he must not break with his integrity and become an unlawful citizen or face deportation later on in life.

Answer 2

I think Bob would be an asset. For one he would be able to have a good paying job. Who knows what Bob might invent or cure. I think for people like Bob their merits are enough to prove that they are good people. However Bob should still try to be come a resident. His status is not his fault.

I've heard many cases like this where the children have good grades and are able to go to univerity and have degrees in various fields but are not abel to work. Nor can they go back to their country of origin because they are not connected to their country of origin many don't know the native language of their country.

Answer 3

Often those molested at a yung age are so traumatized for a good while that they are not able to enjoy a normal sexual arousal and should persist in counseling. Usually the shock & anger (which often buries itself in depression) take time & distance to abate. Some things take time to get over. Be easier on yourself than the experience was and allow yourself to explore the experience when you can more calmly face it. Right now you are too near the incident in time to get much help from counselling as yet perhaps, but you will find if you stick with it you will slowly open up again as a person. Many also have gotten over the abuse and lived gratelfully full lives.

Answer 4

I actually know of 3 different kids in this exact scenario. The first, graduated with a teaching degree and worked full-time while going through school to pay for it. She has 4 younger siblings that were born here and are citizens, but, she was brought here as an infant. She is now working in a factory because she can't use her degree.

The other 2: one graduated with a 3.78, and, he had come here at 12. He elected not to take ELL classes after his second year, and, got his GPA with only English classes. He is now 19, and, though he could go to college, he thinks it is useless if he won't be able to use his degree. He works at a restaurant.

The 3rd was here since an infant, she graduated at the top of her class and is completely bilingual. She is 18, and, working in a factory, though, she was encouraged to go to school and offered a scholarship, if she had been legal.

These are all cases where it is the parent's fault, but, gifted children are being punished, and, these kids that should be able to continue to grow are taking menial jobs.

It breaks my heart. These kids should be able to study, and, work. They know no other country. FOr them to go somewhere that they haven't been since birth (a couple months old), is ridiculous. Put yourself in their shoes. If you had been here since you were months old, and, know no other country, how ridiculous would it be for you to go to some foreign country?

Answer 5

This isn't very rare at all! It happens ALL the time. What is amazing is that he was able to get through high school and college without ridiculous tuition rates (out of state). Anyway, it's his problem now, and he has to find a way to a path of legal citizenship. I don't think we should just GIVE it to people in this situation. There are lots of people doing it the right way and don't deserve to have people budging in line.

Answer 6

If he has graduated from college, he has had 4 or more years as an adult to attempt to rectify his status. Since he remains illegally here, he has failed to exercise responsibility for himself.
A young man we know was in the same situation. At eighteen he returned briefly to his birth nation, applied for status and received it. His father had never applied for status. Shortly later, his father was arrested for domestic abuse and deported. His mother had been in their home nation all this time, as his father had stolen him from her. He is now working toward bringing her here. He is showing responsibility, and just finished obtaining his degree.
He took the necessary steps and overcame obstacles. Your "Bob" had the same options.

Answer 7

Simple. Bob could go back to his country and enrich it so the people there no not have the need to come to the US.

Answer 8

You can't just keep saying "it's not the child's fault" especially since that child is now an adult. He needs learn to be responsible for himself and quit blaming his parents or our govt that he can't get a job. He needs to apply for legal status. I'd tell him to grow up and hire an attorney.

Answer 9

This is a common example to justify the dream act. Achievers should not have special treatment.

Answer 10

Unfortunately, Bob was born to a criminal Mom. No asset, no work. Who paid for his college?