GO BACK TO

YOUR COUNTRY ”

In order to start a conversation about immigration (legal or illegal), we must look at why the saying “go back to your country” is wrong. Not wrong as in cruel or immoral, but as in historically inaccurate because many parts of the United States, specifically California, were originally Mexican territory. Shockingly enough, when the settlers came from Europe, they didn’t pass through a well organized system with a “line” that allowed peaceful entry. In fact, when European settlers came to this country, they violently murdered thousands of natives and destroyed everything they built. Therefore, it’s a bit hypocritical for people of European descent to demand that immigrants come here legally when their own ancestors illegally entered native land.

Often, the role that Mexican immigrants play in the United States is overlooked. What most Americans don’t realize is that these immigrants are the ones that do the backbreaking labor of picking their food, who clean their work and learning spaces, who do the work that they would never think of doing. When people use the argument that immigrants are stealing jobs from them, they

fail to realize that, realistically, they would never risk their health and dignity to do such jobs which they consider inferior to them.

Moreover, their claims that they’re okay with immigration “as long as they come here the right way” is ridiculous. Aside from coming to find a better life, the reasons for immigrants coming to the United States differ greatly. Some may come to escape violent situations, while others may come due to career opportunities. We, as a country, must also recognize that legal immigration begins with illegal immigration. As stated previously, there is no “line” to wait in to get approved for entry into the United States. The United States government is currently still processing visa application for Mexican immigrants from 1997: 22 years ago. Meaning that, theoretically, if there was a line, it would be so long that it wouldn’t even be worth waiting in. Sadly, most people who do apply for citizenship won’t live to become citizens.

So for all of the people out there who are spewing ignorant and hateful messages about Mexican immigrants: If you are against illegal immigration, go back to Europe.