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George Pachon
Prof. Evans
Enc1102
21 January 2012

Modern Day Immigration

Throughout the last couple of decades the increase of immigrants has raised to such
heights that anti-immigration laws right now are being made to tighten their human rights in the
name of homeland security. I am part of a select group of people that have been born and raised
in the United States by illegal immigrants. There are two opposite arguments to be analyzed: is it
ok for a government to shake down random citizens in an attempt to find illegal aliens and return
them to the country they risk their lives to escape from? Or do we let just anybody walk into our
country and leech away at the benefits of actual working citizens. This problem has had
explosive ends before and the realization is that both parties are just as involved with the other
and they both have valuable points. As I grew up my entire family was always in a big roar when
they spoke about when they got their green papers. My family has prevailed in some of the best
ways and yet there are other people who did not have the same luxuries and luck as us.
Instances in the Southwestern states, especially in Arizona, specifically of police brutality
and wrongful persecution, have plenty to do with the restrictions people now have to face with.
Since the government has passed the Support our law enforcement and safe neighborhoods
act. (Liptak)These laws give police officials the right to arrest any person without a warrant.
Just the slight feeling of suspicious activity and you could be having your arms tied by the Feds.

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(Gonzalez) Not only is the risk more prominent but the bill also states that the immigration
statuses of people who are apprehended are determined before they are sentenced (Gonzalez).
For many people they are brothers, fathers, mothers, siblings, and even grandparents. Families
who depend on these people to survive and thrive in the United States are now left to fend for
themselves in a foreign country.
Although The State of Arizona voted for the anti-Immigration law two years ago
the Obama Administration sued to dismiss the bill on all fronts. (Liptak) They believed they
would be giving a group of police officials, who are not qualified to handle such matters as
immigration, the power to decide whether a person with no citizenship is deported. All types of
people have come from different parts of the world: Families looking for refuge from a country
of tyranny, released criminals or gang members with ties to cartels, and people looking for the
ability to live not in hostility but in stability of their lives. With this law enabled these people
literally have no other means to survive other than under the table jobs, begging or crime. Now
that its illegal for immigrants to fail to register under a federal law and to search for work.
Luckily when my mother emigrated in august of 1991, and after weeks looking for work she
found a position at the Miami Herald newspaper distributor. The law makes it a crime to
knowingly transport unauthorized immigrants; requires state contractors to check the
immigration status of all workers and revokes business licenses of employers who knowingly
hire unauthorized immigrants. (Eaton) The government in my opinion took a serious step over
the line when they allowed a state to decide on a law that harasses its citizens and brings a fear of
total loss. In May of 2011the court of Arizona imposed heavy penalties on businesses that
employed illegal immigrants, thus creating an even critical hit to the immigrant community.
(Liptak) For many people its a wrong place, wrong time situation.

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I was stunned at the audacity of the Obama administration to file suit against an
individual state seeking to safeguard its people, Ms. Brewer said in a statement. (Liptak) This
statement is coming from the Governor of Arizona and she feels completely fine with idea of this
bill; A bill that puts its immigration policy above basic human rights. But what are the effects of
such a law? Lets take a look at 38-year-old Miguel Aparacio for example: a former Phoenix
High school cross-country coach who was deported to Mexico in June of 2011. (Gonzalez) This
man has been a long time resident of the U.S. and was brought when he was fifteen years old by
his grandmother. Not only was he new to a foreign country but he excelled as a student. Aparicio
eventually graduated high school and received scholarships to colleges like Grand Canyon
University. He became a well renowned technician and a leader in sports programs in his district.
(Gonzalez) One unlucky night in 2003 Aparacio got into a drunken car crash and was charged
with extreme DUI. When Aparacio was asked for his social security number he gave in a fake
and sealed his fate for years later. He was then arrested for driving with a suspended drivers
license in 2008 and was determined to have been an illegal immigrant due to the fake social
security number. He spent two months in a federal detention center, was released on bail, and
was decided that he was going to be deported June 17, 2011. When he surrendered himself the
following Monday that added ten years to his ban from the United States. Miguel Aparacio is a
part of the highest group people ever to be deported in a fiscal year, a staggering 396,906.
In conclusion, its very obvious that illegal immigration has a huge impact on that region
of the United States. Whether it is a person who just couldnt prove at the time they are a valid
citizen is arrested and taken into custody with no act of injustice, people who should not have to
live in fear of a government that strikes their hand at them. To leave them in a state of utter
confusion and unrelenting fear of losing their loved o`nes. I agree that a law should be made to

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show the process of due law and the justice system this country should stand for. Not show
brutality to those who just want to live in a land of opportunity and prosperity. My family to me
will always be that huge inspiration to me of making an opportunity out of thin air. I dont feel as
if the fact that they were illegal aliens (which they are not now) was a prideful thing but it shows
theyre determination for their freedom and that I am proud of.

Works Cited
Sources were all acquired through the use of the database.

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Eaton, Kristi. "Arizonas Law Is Most Extreme Anti-Immigration MeasureFor Now." 26 may 2010. 23
january 2012 <http://campusprogress.org/articles/arizonas_law_is_most_extreme_antiimmigration_measurefor_now/>.
Gonzalez, Daniel. "New Immigration policy didnt help Phoenix man." 22 01 2012. azcentral. 23 01 2012
<http://www.azcentral.com/news/immigration/>.
Liptak, Adam. "Court to weigh Arizona Statute on Immigration." 12 12 2011. The New York Times. 23
01 2012 <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/us/supreme-court-to-rule-on-immigration-law-inarizona.html?_r=1>.

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