Numbers Talk
Once upon a time there was a land known as America; the land of opportunity and it is said that it was built by immigrants… “The American Dream” is the phrase that better describes this opportunity for many Latino immigrants who come to this country pursuing a better life for their families, escaping a country that doesn't offer them the lifestyle they dream of.
Latinos are not only the biggest minority group in the country, but also the one that is growing faster, more than any other minority group in the U.S., because several hundred thousand Latinos enter the United States each year, many of them illegally. Currently there are almost forty million Latinos living in the U.S., 37 million are legal aliens, and 10 million of them are illegally living and working here. Also, is important to say that Latino is not a race but an ethnic group that includes several origins as well as several racial treats. (Henslin, 2007)
Minuteman
As a result of propaganda and cultural misconceptions, many Americans had developed an aversion to Latinos, even though most of them are legally living here. This group of Americans called the Minuteman had raised a controversy about "how" illegal immigrants should be taken care of. However, despite of this group's work, the illegal immigration will continue as long as their labor is solicited.
Moreover, the Minuteman are seen as racist people that enjoy hunting men across deserts, fact that many U.S. officials are embarrassed of and totally disapprove. That's why the congress is working along with Latino leaders to find a solution that benefits both parties: Latinos and Americans.
Yes, Benefits for All
The question many people ask is why? Why bother creating laws to legalize the illegal? Many Americans I've spoken to, say the solution is sending back all of those without documents. What they don't realize is that thanks to many Latinos “we are able to have, albeit illegally, child care for our children, elder care for our parents, have our lawns mowed, our nails manicured, our roofs re-shingled, our trees trimmed, our stone walls built, our restaurant meals prepared and served, and our homes cleaned, at prices that are within reach of most of us, thanks to the immigrants” (Warner Cooper 2007)
However, if we go back in history, Latinos have been in this country even before the first European settlers became Americans. The Mexican villages that inhabited California and Texas were part of Mexico before they became frontier during the 19th century in the Mexican-American war. So we can say then, California and Texas are not invaded by Mexicans, but in fact, they have been there for generations. Of course, things have changed since, when illegal immigration became a big social, political and a less known economical issue.
The economic issue that many don't like to talk about is that immigration in general benefits the country's economy...how? ... Here is a simple explanation… Businesses support the country's economy. Employers need to make a profit in their business in order to keep up with the costs and expenses, as well as making a living for themselves and their employees. “If the labor costs go up, the prices to the consumers go up, and if the consumers don't buy at the higher prices, the employers go out of business.”…In other words; “If low-cost labor ceases to be available, employers will either go out of business, or automate if that is possible, or go offshore if that is an option.” (Warner Cooper 2007)
Cheap Labor Vs. Cheap Life
Naturally, nobody likes the idea of closing their own business, that's why hiring cheap labor from a Latino and even cheaper if he/she is illegally working doesn't sound that bad after all. Certainly, it is not correct the approach many American business owners take when hiring illegal immigrants; because in the first place they are paying very low salaries to these people. Second, many of these workers don't pay taxes and third, they motivate more Latinos to cross the border illegally because it looks so easy to get a job and make the American dream a reality.
However, we have to think also that the "cheap labor" this people are offering, makes our lifestyles more affordable and comfortable. But even though is nice to have someone re-shingle our house at half the usual price, this workers also need security at their jobs, something that they are not capable to get by being illegal. It is important to work together as a society to improve the laws that benefit both Latino illegal workers and American society, as we don't want our lifestyles become even more expensive.
Also, treating these workers as human beings giving them rights just for the sake of humanity and stop seeing them as criminals because they crossed the border to make a better life by working; we're not giving them anything for free. According to Warner Cooper (2007) “ If employers can't find ways to hire these workers legally, American workers take the jobs at higher wages, and this will greatly increase the cost of living for all of us.”
