It’s official, there are now more Hispanics being born in the U.S. than immigrating to the United States. The implications are clear, a growth of diversity, and the shrinking of the “white” population. With an astounding 53 million Hispanic immigrants living in the United States today, there is no question that the growth will only continue expanding and the Hispanic community influence on all things American will only increase. This change in demographics will most surly have an affect on the economy, education, and especially politics. With an Hispanic Supreme Court Judge and more and more Hispanic officials being elected, it makes me how wonder how policies will change in the United States in the next 30 years.
Synonymously however, with over a 5 percent increase from 12.5 to 16.9 percent in Hispanic population, one also can’t help but wonder why the Hispanic community hasn’t made larger steps towards equality. According to U.S.A Today, almost 30 percent of Hispanics living without life insurance, over double the rate of the white population. It makes me wonder if this is mostly due to financial burden or if the issue runs deeper than that.
I once befriended a man who worked as a gardener. He worked with sharp tools and heavy equipment everyday but was not cover by life insurance. When asked why, he explained that it wasn’t the money but rather his dad was undocumented and he was fearful that his application would bring his father to suspicion. Stories like this make me reevaluate the simplicity of things like life insurance and when one can be covered. That being said, if the U.S. births increase, complication for the Hispanic community will only be minimized. What will the future bring? 2042? Equality?
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/29/us-born-hispanics-overtake-immigrants/8456933/
The new Alabama law requiring school officials to determine by birth certificates or sworn affidavits the legal status of incoming students is unfair and a violation of the American right for a basic education. The fact that a law like this can be upheld in court is a scary notion and is a strong example of the prevalence of racism in America today. As the article states, this law not only contradicts the federal law formed in Plyler vs. Doe, but it defies the basic human rights established in the Civil Rights Movement. The children hurt by these new laws are not responsible for their illegal status and the law only serves to impede their chance at professional and economic success. Moreover, the lack of education can only lead to less economic production from the immigrants, which only hurts the general American public.
That being said, it does bring up the question up of where do we draw the line of opportunity when it comes to undocumented children. If these children are truly innocent, and we are looking to help the American public, then why not pass the Dream Act? The dream act would only help improve the economy and strengthen our military forces. Despite these benefits, the Dream Act did not pass in congress, which sends a strong message about the consequences of illegal immigration and the American identity.
Are those children truly innocent? Well technically of course as they had no choice in determining their path as young children. That being said, one must consider that guilt is often transcendental. For example, if a father commits a crime and is sent to jail, and is therefore unable to provide for his child, then the child pays the consequences of his father’s action. This child will most likely grow to have fewer opportunities and have more financial and emotional troubles. Isn’t this child innocent? If so, is it the government’s responsibility to provide all the money the father doesn’t? It is practically impossible to provide for all those who have opportunities takes away from them and is in fact the nature of capitalism and American law. It is in this sense that the father’s guilt is transcended to the child, which suffers punishment from the father’s crimes.
The same idea can also apply to the undocumented children. Although they are innocent technically, the parent’s criminal consequences are transcended onto them. So is it fair to deny these children all rights because of their parents’ actions?
It is important to keep in mind that although the government can’t completely refund the opportunities taken away from parent’s actions, it does offer certain programs to assist the children and their families (ex. FAFSA, TAP, Social Security, Medicaid etc.). Similarly, undocumented children should be given certain opportunities/programs. The most basic of these opportunities should be the right for basic schooling. In fact, I believe access to knowledge is a basic human right. It is for this reason that I believe the new Alabama law is a moral violation.
How severe is the crime of illegal immigration that the children should be stripped of their human right for knowledge?
Hi my name is Nir Krawczyk, I am 19-years-old, and I am undecided with a minor in music. I am a Jazz pianist but I love playing and listening to all types of music. Whatever my major is, it will most likely be in the humanities and/or social sciences. Cool fact: Both of my elder sister’s actually attended Macaulay at Hunter as well which is pretty neat because I get all the insider tips.
As for my family it gets a little complicated. My grandparents are all Eastern European but both my parents were born in Argentina. Then they moved to Israel, had both my sisters, and then moved to the U.S. where I was born right here in the Bronx. Then we moved to Israel again until I was 7 when we came back, and this time for good. My house is a Hebrew-Spanish-English mess and I love it.
