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Both sides must compromise on immigration issue

Veronica Bronkema

Other Views

What does this immigration issue mean for us here in South Puget Sound? One side wants all "different people" out of the darn country, and others defend to the gut a group of people who broke American immigration laws.

We are all on one side or another. Either we are immigrants or we were born here, most of the time coming from an immigrant family.

As it turns out, it is only a matter of chance. Neither you nor I had any say as to where to be born, but we are all here in the same boat and we need to find a feasible solution that will allow this country to end up stronger while maintaining the core values that still make the United States the United States.

I understand why some long-time Americans feel threatened by an unknown group rallying on the city streets asking for rights that, in a strict legal sense, they don't have. It must feel like somebody wanting to take away something that you and your parents and their parents fought for, without you being asked what you think.

It seems unfair.

On the other hand we have a very bright 15-year-old daughter of an illegal immigrant maid who has lived here in Thurston County most of her life. She is a brilliant student, outgoing and a born leader, but in the current situation, when the daughter finishes high school, she won't be able to obtain a federal school loan or financial aid. Even if her poor family manages to send her to college, she will not be able to find a good job. She doesn't have papers. This bright kid will have to go to work as a maid with her mom instead of contributing to society with all her potential.

It seems unfair and a bad deal for everybody.

Deporting 12 million illegal immigrants is just unrealistic, starting with the cost of deportation and continuing with the collapse of agricultural and construction industries in the United States. In our own state, we are hearing of agricultural worker shortages for this harvest season, even with the immigrant work force.

The market forces are in action at full power in this situation. The United States has jobs. Immigrants need jobs. But even the most liberal thinker has to accept that there is a need for some sort of order and control over the flow of immigrants.

Are they here to contribute with their labor, special skills or talents to enrich the United States?

Then there should be a path to do it legally.

Are they here to attack the stability of the country? Then these people, legal or illegal, immigrant or nonimmigrant, should be stopped.

If we really open our minds and try to walk in the others' shoes, recognizing that the place we were born is just a matter of chance, we'll see that we have to reach a resolution that strengthens our nation instead of making Americans fight against Americans.

We are here because we love this country. Let's make strengthening America the light at the end of the tunnel in this obscure and complicated immigration debate.


Veronica Bronkema, a first-generation immigrant and a Hispanic communications professional, is a member of The Olympian's Diversity Panel. She can be reached at veronicabronkema@yahoo.com.