--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, Jessica Castaneda <migranted@b...> wrote:
>
> I work with migrant workers in my job. I am appalled sometimes at the
> amount of difficulties and prejudices they face. It is virtually
> impossible for those that are illegal to become "legal".

Jessica,

I agree that there are major problems with immigration laws and
standards in the USA, and that these issues need to be addressed. I do
not wish to minimize that at all but simply to observe it is difficult
to get into many, if not most, industrialized countries of the world.
If you are an American, you will find it difficult to get into
Australia, New Zealand (nearly impossible), and some countries in
Europe on a permanent basis. My English, Asian, Indonesian, Turkish,
and Australian friends tell me horror stories about trying to obtain
appropriate papers to "work" here in USA on more than a temporary
basis. Everybody wants to work in a country where if you work hard
enough you will be rewarded.

The kind of immigrants that most countries want are: educated,
skilled, financially stable, and sponsored. It is a Catch-22 here in
the USA for illegals trying to become legals, as it is other parts of
the world given the the above. The "haves" in Mexico stay there, the
"have-nots" look elsewhere.

I offer this only as a perspective. I wish I had an immediate answer
for immigration problems all over the world. The lure of the USA will
continue as long as the economy continues strong and jobs are
plentiful. There is a suggestion that it may be slowing.


Our ancestors were fortunate in a way. My family came here a century
ago at a time when it was fairly easy to do so, and then they worked
themselves to death to give me an opportunity here. I was fortunate.
The prejudices in this world will never cease; the USA is not an
exception and neither is Mexico.

Ed