Schema Magazine

Illegal Immigrants Are People Too

Immigrants are such a huge issue in North America. They are often blamed for ruining Western culture and language (Check out Gayatri's post on the Tea Party movement), for mooching off the government, and just plain seen as deviants. Perhaps this stereotype is slowly shifting, and illegal immigrants are actually being viewed as valuable individuals. Here is an evident baby step towards a universal respect for humanity.\n\nAccording to a Los Angeles Times/USC poll many Californians support illegal immigrants. They believe illegal immigrants should have access to social services such as education and emergency medical treatment. \n\n31% strongly support the implementation of a stronger enforcement at the border and the prohibition of those here illegally from benefiting from any taxpayer-funded social services, including emergency room treatment and public education for children here illegally. Whereas, 32% are strongly opposed to this. \n\nCalifornians believe that illegal immigrants will be the force that helps to stimulate their ailing economy. If this is true, then perhaps the attitudes towards illegal immigrants may turn for the better. Rather than being perceived as \"freeloading money suckers,\" they could be seen as recession shields. Hey, stereotypes are not good to have in the first place, but positive ones, we can work with and grow from there. I see no reason for our society to regress and it's within everyone's best interest to stay open-minded. Looks like for most Californians, they're headed in the right direction. Now, if only we could say the same about the rest of our nation...