Dear Immigrant; Where is the Love for the U.S.?

By Rafael Briones

www.opinioneditorials.com

Did you ever notice the "mark your race" section in an application for employment, or in an application for a school, and also in every official government application? Did you ever wonder why we have to go through this "cataloging" process over and over again?

Does your background or genetic make-up really make a difference in whether you are successful in life?

Come on, give me a break.

According to the United States Government, "Hispanics or Latinos" are not a race, they are an ethnicity.

Personally, I think Hispanics are the example or role model to follow concerning diversity; they arrive in every color, size and shape. It's fair to say that Hispanics are color-blind regarding the race issue. That's the reason you can find Hispanic immigrants all over our nation. They do not need to have a Mexican community in order to move into a new city. For them, the race issue does not exist; it's outdated.

A Mexican is not a "Latino or Hispanic." Mexicans don't like to be cataloged like we do here. And this applies to every other citizen of LatinAmerica.

If you were born in Mexico, you would be a Mexican regardless of the color of your skin. Mexicans are the second largest group of immigrants to ever arrive in our country, just behind Germans, who arrived here via legal immigration.

If we add up undocumented or auto-exiles immigrants, (a term that I prefer to use), Mexicans are the largest single group of immigrants to ever arrive in my nation (the USA), and counting.

Around 3 million Mexican citizens were shipped via the southern border into the USA last year. That's equivalent to half the population of Indiana. There is a big gap if we compare them to the few hundred thousand Mexicans that enter American soil to stay legally.

Mexicans are the largest group, if we look under Hispanics. The U.S. government thinks that 75 percent of Hispanic immigrants are Mexicans; but according to my underground sources, it's actually around 85 percent.

Then, why is there so much ignorance, hypocrisy, apathy, discrimination, lack of political representation, and intellectual suppression from the American government and citizens toward Mexicans?

They are hard working people. Their capabilities are well known around the world. Only few countries can say: "Once, we were an empire." Mexicans can.

Is the resistance to assimilation on the part of Mexicans facing the American culture one of the reasons for this civic oppression?

The "nationalistic indoctrination" performed by the Mexican government on its citizens is self-evident. Personally, I think that's the biggest problem the Mexican immigrant faces here.

Dear immigrant: Why are you still in love with Mexico? Why would you come here and put a plate in your truck with the words "Mexico forever" or a Mexican flag? Is that "indoctrinated nationalism" full of ignorance? Is it also a clear reflection of your culture?

Why do you as an immigrant not understand that you are nothing but a worthless tool for the Mexican government? The Mexican government does not care about you.

Did the Mexican government tell you not to come here? Or is it indifferent to you while you are leaving the country?

Individually, I think this nation (USA) is great; it gives immigrants the opportunity to interact and be a part of a democratic system regardless their legal status. Not perfect, but at least two centuries ahead of their Mexican counterparts.

Is there a reason for you "the immigrant" to still love the Mexican flag?

If you love Mexico, why are you here? For hundreds of years, you have been coming to this country; in fact, you used to own the south of the United States (Aztlan, Texas, California, Nuevo Mexico, Nevada, etc.).

When are you waking up to reality, "Pepito No-English"?

Have you learned something yet?

Or, is it more enjoyable to get lost in the orgy of "The Mexican Dream"? (A big truck; 10 to 12 hours of labor a day, a house, and a brain full of ignorance and auto-intellectual segregation.)

When are you going to learn something about America? Are you indoctrinating your American-born child to be a factory worker and vow allegiance to the Mexican flag?

If so, why not go back there and put yourself to work in a Maquila? (Maquila: Foreign companies that bring parts for assembling and manufacturing, the typical maquiladora worker is a woman in her prime reproductive years — between the ages of 16 and 28.)

Why not work in a Maquila? You love Mexico, correct?

Values, due process, equality, and opportunities are here, in America. Mexico is more than 1,000 miles south.

It's time to wake up.

Don't be driving around thinking people look at your truck as if it was a Ph.D.. Yes, you know what I mean.

Nobody here cares about your truck, car, shoes, cap, CD’s, soccer jersey, house, and clothing. Do you know the meaning of the term "Free Market"? Do you know how to read or write? When was the last time you were enrolled in school?

Please, wake up, and take all that ignorance out of your brain and raise your voice. Believe me, it's possible with hard work.


Rafael Briones is a Graduate Student in the College of Telecommunications in Ball State University, Munice, Indiana. Contact information briones@bsu.edu

Outdated "Baby-boomers" in America.

By Rafael Briones

www.opinioneditorials.com

Once again the “immigration issue” is getting lots of attention in the mainstream media. President Bush toured the southern border a week ago; he had to take a “closer look” into the fictitious immigration problem occurring on the Mexican border. We are experiencing one of the lowest level of unemployment ever in our nation at 5 percent. Data indicates that immigration is not a problem.

He visited El Paso, Texas, where a 10-minute tour (parallel to the border) inside a SUV, was enough “data” to comprehend and come with new ideas to fix the so-called “problem.”

President Bush also flew to New Mexico, where “Mexican blooded” Governor Bill Richardson, D-NM, has declared a “state of emergency” in many counties along the border. Governor Richardson blames the state’s problems on the vast number of “economic auto-exiles” or “immigrants” entering Arizona and using the state as a temporary platform.

It’s important to mention that the media is playing an important role in this issue by sending massive waves of negative propaganda to the American public. It seems networks such as CNN and FOX are competing to see which network can divide our nation more in this topic, and in the process creating a vast negativism toward immigrants.

Once again history repeats itself, and the American public is in the middle of it.

It’s well known that among the Hispanic population using the term “illegal alien” is offensive and insulting; it can be compared to the aggressiveness of terms used in our society such as “Negro” or “White-Trash” which by historical meanings are not used any longer in any media form. But, the term “illegal alien” is common and popular in the American public and Media Broadcasting in general. It gives them pleasure. It seems the ghost of discriminating by words evolved, suddenly the term “ illegal aliens” drives the desire from Anglo-America to feel “superior.” The pleasure created by the orgy of prohibited words continues in our society.

The last amnesty that took place in our country was during the Reagan Administration. And believe me, it was a necessity. We can search history to see what former President Reagan’s role in Central-America was back then. Perhaps, he was feeling a little guilty. Once and for all we have to come to the conclusion about the exact number of deaths created by the Regan Administration, by fueling the war against communism in Central-America and make him responsible for it.

It has been almost twenty years since the last amnesty period. In such a short period of time, the numbers of “immigrants” has grown to massive numbers. Hispanic media talks about eleven million, while their Anglo counterparts set the number at twenty million and adding three every year.

Immigration reforms are due, no doubt about it. But is also important to understand that the implementation of “slavery laws” can’t start immigration reform. Also, it won’t work to implement “communist ideals” (a wall between our border with Mexico). For some reason it seems our lawmakers are obsessed with the recycling and enforcement of old doctrines, for example the “separate but equal doctrine.”

For the record, there is a big difference while comparing slavery and immigration. Slaves where brought here by physical force, while immigrants are choosing to come here, refusing economic exploitation usually from US multinational corporations.

Mexican immigrants now refuse to assemble your TV’s, cell phones, cars, cloth, toys, etc. etc., for a modest salary of two thousand dollars a year. I totally understand their position.

Why not inform the American public about the two US corporations that are responsible for the exports of over 70 percent of Mexico’s corn consumption? What about the giant trade deficit we have against the Aztec nation? Do you know 90 percent of their exports come to our country? If Mexican citizens are coming here in massive numbers it’s because something is terrible wrong with the implementation of our foreign policies.

Why do we, as Americans, have to tolerate our federal government providing ITIN numbers instead of SSN to immigrants? Why do we, as Americans, have to tolerate our State legislature here in Indiana to deny immigrants the right to obtain a Driver License? Then, why can immigrants buy a car? Why do we, the American public, allow Banks to provide loans to immigrants without a SSN?

This topic goes well beyond our political system; this is an “American” issue, and the future related issues have to be a concern to all of us. The solution has to be explored and brainstormed in the core of our family values. What’s wrong with our nation?

Immigrants in general deserve a lot more respect from the American public, Congress, State, and Local officials. We all know that many of our constitutional rights apply to non-citizens of the US; therefore Due Process has to be served.

If you live in Indiana for six months, under Indiana law you are a legal resident of the state. Then, as a resident of Indiana, you have the right to file for divorce regardless of your immigration status. You can complete the legal process under “due process of law.” Why cannot a legal resident of Indiana gain access to a driver’s license? Loopholes? This is just more evidence of outdated laws passed by baby boomers.

According to my personal whistleblower working for the state legislature, (D) there are more than four hundred thousand immigrants with out a SSN in Indiana; is that Due Process? Equality? Affirmative Action?

Suddenly President Bush is caught once again in the middle, (Iraq, Katrina, etc.). The GOP is divided when it comes to the topic. Many support his “guest worker program” and as many disagree.

Senator John McCain, R-Arizona, is one of those opposing Bush’s plan. Senator McCain and Senator Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, as well Senator Lieberman, D-Connecticut, are all pushing for a more “American” package.

They are opposing President Bush’s plan that calls for Immigrants to comeback to their country after three years of working in the USA, and then wait for a year before having the right to apply for a new temporary working permit. Senator McCain, Senator Kennedy, and Senator Lieberman are pushing for a “legal resident status and citizenship” which I totally support. It sounds “American” to me.

Sincerely as an American citizen, President Bush’s proposal offends me. We all know “prostitution” is the oldest profession in earth, and it seems President Bush wants to apply the popular “work model” to immigrants, “I pay you, I use you, and then get lost…”

At this moment Congress is putting the topic on hold for next year. I honestly think the issue will be transferred into the next administration, “too hot to handle,” and of course the control of the White House comes first.

A good citation to this can be the DREAM ACT, which has been in the back pocket of Congress for almost three years, an insult to our democracy and founding fathers. Once again Congress is acting with an alarming apathy.

The DREAM ACT (if enacted), main responsibility is to provide college education and access to loans to those kids of immigrants who arrived in our country at a young age, and do not have a SSN. Not having a SSN makes it impossible to obtain federal and state government loans and/or grants.

We are spending billions of dollars in the “invasion” and for some reason we cannot fix the problems concerning our nation and youth. I challenge voters to pay more attention to immigration reform and to take action; it’s un-American to turn the other way.

This issue is an “American” concern; therefore it’s our responsibility to fix it.

Making this issue “Politics” instead of “Civic Responsibility" was the first and worst mistake we all made.

Rafael Briones is a Graduate Student in the College of Telecommunications in Ball State University at Muncie, Indiana. Contact information briones@bsu.edu

Border strategy just plain wrong.

By Rafael Briones

Al-Jazeerah, May 20, 2005

Since my arrival in the United States of America, I discovered that in our country there exists a big time “taboo” concerning Mexican immigration. In recent years, in particular since Sept. 11, the pressure to militarize the border has been growing. President Bush has been feeling the heat from the American public when it comes to this topic. The militarization of the Mexican border by the U.S. will have catastrophic consequences.

The most important question that comes to my mind is that of the economic aspect. Who will be responsible for the budget of that new operation? Taxpayers? Or the will the money come from revenue saved by cutting socials programs such as education and welfare?

The implementation of that program will affect our economic life and our culture as a whole.

By implementing military operations on the border, such as military bases, check points, introducing unmanned airplanes to patrol the border, the lifestyle change for the people of the southern states will be drastic and annoying. Also, having to deal with the noise of helicopters and vehicles will be like living in a war zone.

Personally, I think sending the army to the border with Mexico is one of the most crazy and outdated ideas in the existence of humankind.

It will divide the two countries more that what they are today; remember already Mexico stands against the U.S. military action against Afghanistan and Iraq.

Before we even talk about the issue, we have to ask ourselves: Who are we as a nation?

Since the creation and evolution of politics as a system by earth’s civilizations, never has a specific group of people or government gained so much democracy in their political system as the U.S.A. We are the land of the free, so why does our nation want to put itself in a cage?

From my perspective, those days were gone a long time ago. The China wall style of protection is outdated for our time. Today it is a necessity for countries to be connected to the rest of the world, and such interconnections can be economical, political, and educational. The Internet is a good example of the connection between every country, and it shows how the interaction is closer that what the borders dictates.

Who will be doing the low paying jobs in our country, if we set as a goal stopping illegal immigration? Undocumented immigration is an indispensable necessity for the United States.

It’s clear the militarization of the border will target specifically that particular group of immigrants.

Are those in the welfare programs ready to take over the hard-working job opening that will be available? Are college students ready to spend 12 hours a day working in the fields of the southern states for summer jobs?

Why the militarization of the Mexican border? Is there a terrorist group in Mexico? Is the American public aware of the quality of Mexican immigration services? Is there a record for funding to terrorism from the Mexican government? Many are the questions, but by far they are outweighed by the ignorance of the American public.

The year 2001 brought a new mind-set to the masses of the U.S.A.

Finally, they woke up to reality, and learned something about the rest of the world. For many years they ignored the revolution carried by globalization. After Sept. 11, the American public had no choice but to search recent history to find the facts and learn from them, and therefore to make a conclusion about the attacks.

It seems like the American public wants to take the easy way out of the problem, by isolating our country even more to the rest of the world.

The auto-segregation of the American public toward the rest of the globe is alarming. It can be compared to the economic auto-segregation experienced by former communist nations before the fall of the Berlin wall and the consequent collapse of the Soviet Union. The only exception is that our auto-segregation takes place in the cultural aspect and not economic.

Before the Sept. 11 attacks, the country was in a first-come first-serve basis. Our borders were open to almost anybody coming into the country, to try to search for the infamous American Dream.

Cubans are the first in the list of privileges; as soon as they put a foot in our land they are protected. Also Canadians enjoy an easy way to arrive in the country, by just walking. In contrast with Canadians, Mexicans, usually come in to our country by walking two or three weeks in the desert, in order to reach their goal.

According to a research document I did a year ago, before Sept. 11 around 75 percent of the working force for the Immigration and Naturalization Service was located in the border between the U.S. and Mexico. What a surprise! Is there a reason why?

Is this because the Mexican citizen looks different from his counterpart from Canada? Is that why the INS paid more attention to the Mexican border?

The religious fanatics of Sept. 11 entered our country by plane and some of them by Canada if I recall. The question that the American public needs to work on it is: What happened on Sept. 11?

Are we trying to blame the wrong people by militarizing the border and perform the second part of Operation Wetback? Because it is in our culture to discriminate if we see the right opportunity to do so?

The Mexican government was clear when they opposed the militarization of the border. Undocumented aliens send money by wire that surpasses oil revenues in Mexico. As of today the number-one source of income for the government is the dollars sent by Mexican nationals to their families. The militarization of the border will have catastrophic consequences in the Mexican economic system.

Personally I do not think this is the right move. Militarization of the border will include a totally new development of immigration policies in our country. From my perspective it will be impossible. The Mexican border is big, and even bigger is the hunger from Mexican citizens toward a better level of life.

The same American public looking for the military in the border will be the same who pays the consequences of their actions.

In order to make a valid argument, facts and data need to be brought to the table. Although the vast majority agrees with the military taking over the southern border, many also disagree, and I’m one of those. It is fair to say those who oppose illegal immigration are the less-educated individuals in the country.

In order to make a valid argument about militarization in the border, we need to have data to back it up. And, if you are not willing to recognize the data, then you’re lost. We have to remember that truth always prevails, and to accept truth is a painful experience.

A resident of Portland, Rafael Briones is a graduate student at Ball State University.