Lifestyle

Immigration and Citizenship in the United States

There has been a lot of controversy over Donald Trump’s rise to the Presidency.

His biggest sell to our country is the promise of safer borders and less overcrowding due to foreign immigration. This promise began with the attempt to build a wall. Which has been less a structure and more a human resources enabled deterrent. The plan is to station 5,200 American soldiers along the border to prevent a caravan almost 4,000 people from Mexico.

(More on the caravan and citizenship proposal here: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-wants-end-birthright-citizenship-executive-order-n926081 )

The people in this country are scared, but half of the population seems to believe “the people” shouldn’t expand. So, what does Trump propose next, to ensure that immigration numbers decline? He announced on a TV interview with HBO’s Axio’s (https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/trump-seeks-to-eliminate-birthright-citizenship-axios-1356703811948?v=railb& )that he will implement an executive order to withhold citizenship rights from foreign-born babies.

The issue I would like to discuss does not start with Trump, nor will it end with Trump. It goes back to the mindset that in the United States of America, certain people deserve a certain standard of living.

Why is it that people celebrate Cristopher Columbus when he sailed to the Americas and enslaved and warred with the native races? When immigrants from a border country try to find solace and a better life, they meet rifles and hatred. There is a disparity in how we treat people.

My great, great grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian, but my great-great-grandfather was almost entirely European.

At some point in my family tree, an immigrant came to America to have a better life. My family wanted the freedom to practice their religious beliefs and wanted to live in a country where the sky was the limit. I can imagine that those trying to cross the border only want the same things if not more.

If our country was an unsafe place to live in, would we not want another country to help us find peace?

The idea that President Trump can change the 14th Amendment is going to push two sides of people to surface. One side will want what’s best for themselves, and the other side will want what’s best for other everyone. However, if we let the selfish side of ourselves win, how can we expect others to treat us and how can we forgive our actions?

The stigma towards an entire race of people is causing tremendous loss. At the border, they force families to separate. Some people immediately return to their countries. While others are forced to live in an unfamiliar territory alone. The women who come to the U.S. illegally, and have children are only doing it for a better life for their child. They understand the risk of being separated from their babies. However, this would not stop a loving mother from doing what she can to provide for her family. This is the purpose of the 14th Amendment. It gives every person the right to a free life in a free country.

If you have opinions on this topic, whether in favor of or against, please comment down below. I am curious to know where other people stand on this situation and am open to hearing all sides.

sarah

Sarah is a UAB student and an intern for GirlSpring.

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