| There are several encouraging signs lately that there | | | | once they were here; if we voted for the people |
| might be a solution soon to the illegal immigrant | | | | who are allowing it to go on; if we did not vote at all; |
| problem. At least, I am seeing news of groups, | | | | if we buy food or goods or services that these |
| counties and states making proposals and passing | | | | workers produce: we are responsible. We should also |
| legislation that show they are facing facts and are | | | | be responsible for fixing the problem. |
| looking for something that will work. | | | | We will all benefit if this problem is fixed, even if it |
| I realize this doesn't mean Congress is facing facts, | | | | means the majority of these people are offered |
| but if enough other groups work at it, maybe they | | | | work visas and eventual citizenship. |
| will do something too. | | | | If they are given legal status, they can get actual |
| Many of our citizens are finally realizing that it truly | | | | driver licenses and auto insurance. This will help every |
| would be impossible to deport millions of people. | | | | other person who is in a vehicle or who buys auto |
| They also admit that these workers are needed to | | | | insurance for themselves. |
| keep our economy going. | | | | If they aren't exploited by unscrupulous employers, |
| Many surveys lately are showing that a majority of | | | | they will be paid regular wages and pay all the taxes |
| our citizens are willing to allow all the undocumented | | | | they are supposed to pay. Their jobs will also be |
| people, after going through background checks, to | | | | safer and there will be fewer injuries and deaths. |
| stay and apply for some type of work visa and pay | | | | Many of them will be able to get better jobs, since |
| back taxes. Everyone insists they learn English. Most | | | | some of these people are well educated and would |
| want them to get on the path to citizenship if they | | | | qualify for higher positions than hotel maid or |
| qualify. | | | | landscaper. |
| The Texas Association of Business has formed a | | | | All these people would have to learn English. Most |
| group to lobby Congress. They know the wall being | | | | citizens who are against the immigrants are more |
| proposed by some will be too expensive and will not | | | | enraged about them speaking their own languages all |
| work. They are asking for a bill that will give legal | | | | the time than they are about them being here. It's |
| status to the law abiding workers who are already | | | | hard to learn a new language, especially as an adult, |
| here and allow more legal workers into the country | | | | but it would be mandatory and they would manage |
| as they are needed. | | | | somehow if they want to stay. When they have |
| El Paso County Commissioners Court passed a | | | | work permits and legal jobs, they won't have to |
| resolution calling for legal status for undocumented, | | | | work 12 hours a day (or two 8 hour jobs), and they |
| law abiding immigrants. It calls for reform that doesn't | | | | should have more time to go to ESL classes. |
| violate human rights and treats everyone with dignity | | | | Instead of being stuck in their small communities |
| and respect. | | | | because they don't speak English, immigrants would |
| Catholic bishops are asking for humane treatment for | | | | be better able to assimilate. A hundred years ago, |
| all the undocumented people here. And most | | | | everyone had to learn English, there wasn't any help |
| churches across the country are helping the | | | | for people in their own languages. Now it is easy for |
| immigrants in many different ways. Churches are | | | | these newcomers to stay in their ghettos and never |
| treating this as a moral issue and most are trying to | | | | speak English. |
| stay out of politics. | | | | If all these immigrants stay and become legal |
| Several states have allowed illegal immigrant children | | | | residents and citizens, they will add to the fabric of |
| who have gone to their high schools, graduated and | | | | this country, just like our ancestors did. Instead of |
| qualified at state colleges to pay in-state tuition. | | | | being visitors and guests (unwelcome ones at that), |
| California is going one step farther and passed a bill | | | | they will be part of the community. Right now, they |
| to allow these students to get financial aid while in | | | | have no interest in being part of a community that |
| college, the same as other residents. | | | | they know they will have to leave soon. |
| These are all good signs that the public is ready for a | | | | They will be home owners and business owners and |
| solution to this problem. I doubt that one single | | | | employers. They will discover that they should be |
| person is happy that people are coming into our | | | | involved in their children's schools and their community |
| country illegally every day, but we are all responsible | | | | and they will learn how important it is to vote. These |
| for it happening. | | | | people will all become Americans. |
| If we helped the immigrants get here; or hired them | | | | |