by Morgan Johnson

Created on: August 28, 2007

If I had faced this question ten years ago, I might have said yes or at least been ambivalent. Experience in the intervening years both shared and personal have given me a harsher perspective. Of course the 9/11 bombings were the most extreme example but there were others. I and my fellow Americans had to face the reality that there were a large number of illegal immigrants that were coming here to do serious bodily harm to us. They were a small percentage of the hordes coming in but those few gave images and memories that will never fade. The towers falling mark a turning point in the American psyche.

Prior to that day, we saw illegal immigrants as a mixed blessing. On the one hand, they cost us in terms of health services, schooling and police work. On the other they did low level manual labor, picked our fruits and vegetables for low wages and cleaned our hotel rooms for minimum wage. We got low cost produce and had to deal with drugs smuggled across the border. Drugs are bad (mm-Kay?) but they don't directly impact the lives of most people. The final score was a wash.

Until 9/11. We now faced a situation where foreigners coming across the borders who have the desire to kill me, you and our neighbors. So we have to tighten border security. But why should ordinary laborers have to pay the price for the behavior of a few nut cases? All these poor people are doing are seeking a decent wage to support their families. Why can't we give them a break?

Because we don't have to. I have visited a number of foreign countries over the years, including Mexico. I have always been in a legal status when crossing their borders and have never overstayed my visa. Even then, I faced hostile police, corrupt politicians and blatant theft and abuse. I am treated worse than a Mexican caught sneaking into the states and I have obeyed their laws. Why should America have to bend over and change our laws to accommodate people who don't even want to learn our language? Also, I have tried to find employment in other countries. Believe me, getting a job here is much easier as an immigrant than for an American trying to cross the border going the other way. Government fees, visa costs, never-ending demands for more money out of your pocket. Just living in the Philippines resulted in a long list of fees every few weeks. It was worse when I got a job.

I go to Germany, I learn German; I go to Japan, I learn Japanese. If I go to Mexico, I know going in I had better be able to speak at least a few words of Spanish. So if I have to reach out my hand to help those who break my laws, disrespect my country and demand I change my whole life for them I have to say "No thank you."

Now LEGAL immigrants from whatever country, the door is already marked and still open. For those who feel the need to break into my backyard, notice the porch light is no longer on.

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