For the past few weeks there has been debate about the immigration ban presented by executive order. Many people have been affected by it and now we will present views of OSSM students on this topic.
1. Are you aware of the current 120-day ban on immigration recently signed into legislation? Has this affected you or those around you in any way?
Yes, because currently my dad is in South Korea. He's been there for a month now visiting family and we don't know if he come back because of the ban. He doesn't have any sort of visa right now and neither does my mom. She actually has a green card to work, but the thing is that's one of the other things we don't know about.
Yes; not particularly physically, but it annoys me, so it affects me mentally. This is a legal decision, because these people aren’t citizens, but the rights and basis the country was founded on are against this ban. You can’t ban a group of people from a specific area and turn away thousands of immigrants from the second largest religion in the world.
Yes. What I've heard about it, is that it's mostly in Muslim countries, so it doesn't impact me directly. I'm Hispanic so I don't have to deal with it, I have to deal with the "Build a Wall thing." It does affect people I know from school whose families can't come back. I've been there and I feel for them.
2. What do you think about this legislation directly targeting one religion?
Syria still has refugees and they still want to come to America. I think it is trying to target them, but I think it is also just trying to target immigrants in general because the list of who can't enter is extensive.
Yeah, I think so, since there's terrorism, they're trying to ban certain people from entering because they're scared they're going to terrorize us.
3. How do you feel about immigrants? Are you an immigrant yourself?
I am an immigrant. I can apply for a student visa later on. I'll need it to apply for college or no scholarships for me.
Yes my grandmother’s father was an immigrant from Ireland. I am neutral about immigrants. The United States has always been a mix of culture, and it is wrong to assume that the United States is made of fabric that isn’t immigrants. They have made the country what it is.
I'm very pro-refugee/immigrant when it comes it stuff like this. I've had people in my life that have attained refugee status here. So in a way it does affect me since I see them down and worrying about being kicked out. With my family, we're the only ones that have documents. My other family has to worry about coming home and being taken away. With this ban and the rhetoric that's used, I feel the hate. Even in public places, my parent have been told to go back to their countries or that they're parasites. Seeing this, it pushed me to be pro-immigrant.
4. What does it mean to be American?
It means having more opportunities to grow and give back to the society that has given so much to me. It means that everyone is different because we all came here as immigrants to begin with, other than the Native Americans.
I feel like the American identity is more of a social concept, which has kind of been ruined by the ban. It's only a 120 day ban but I don't think it's going to be incredibly detrimental to the American identity.
It doesn’t mean being a certain way. There is a traditional and stereotypical view. To be honest, it is about attitude. Cooperative democracy. Strong work ethic, and drive and passion and ambition. Everyone in the country, mainly, wants to help this country grow. But in different ways. Both sides need to compromise. But everyone has the same goals of making this country a better place, and needs to do so in a compromising manner rather than thinking, “My opinion is the right way.”
It means new opportunities and goals and desires that my parents and grandparents wouldn't have got. In Mexico, the maximum education was 3rd grade and after that they would be shoved into the fields to earn for their families. Here, my parents got to go to high school. When I visit Mexico, my cousins are already working 10 hour days. But here, I can focus on getting an education and meeting my goals, but in Mexico I would have a 10 hour job right now.
5. Have you had any encounters with people who disagree with your beliefs? How do you react in these situations?
Oh, yes! I tell them I come in peace and that Islam is a peaceful religion, despite what the media has showcased. The society thinks that ISIS represents Islam, but that is comparable to saying that the KKK represents Christianity. Both religions are peaceful and full of love, but are misrepresented by an extremist group that does not do the same ideas.
I have encountered something. On Instagram, I was following this girl and then she posted something about how Syrian refugees shouldn't be let in because they'll harm everyone and I was like...nope. I said these refugees are going through a really hard time right now and they really need help. They're victims of really terrible situations and they should be allowed here. We have the room, we have the money. America has deemed it its job to help people out so why can't we let them in?
Yeah, generally I tend to not bring up such topics. But it happens. It is more of a conversation, not an argument because it’s about listening to what other people have to say. Exchange of ideas, not proving you’re right. Seeing if other arguments are better than yours to implement the best idea.
