I know this is a highly controversial subject and one demands people to be open-minded, fair and hone in on diplomacy... With that said, I will state my opinion about the situation.
I do not like the fact that people unfairly and unjustly occupy our country without regards going through appropriate channels. But, likewise, would not America become an indigenous country again if we were to truly implement total and complete equity for citizenship. Are not most people here (at least from your [their] ancestry) "illegals?" I venture to say yes.
This country has been founded on the perils of its indigenous peoples and have likewise erradicated, through cultural geneocide, termination, etc., have purposely attempted to eliminate an entire population. As American Indian, I personally find the mentality of Americans to be abrupt, perplexing and disheartening, especially considering they are unaware of historical context and significance here in the Americas prior to the filtration of settlers and "illegal aliens" from other countries.
Reasons for immigration have included religious freedoms, better opportunitites, excile - in some cases, and the promise for a better life... Was that not why the first pilgrams migrated here? How dare we cast stones at others searching for the same happiness. Granted, they may not do it as we want - "legally," but did your ancestors? If that would have been the case, I am sure indigenous peoples would not be so abrasive to the thought of American history... Read up on it! Hell, folk came here stole our lands, killed our people and then had the audacity to tell us we were NOT citizens of America until 1924. Pot + Kettle = Black? Think about it...
Another thing that perplexes me is that these "illegal aliens" from the border are Americans. They are indigenous peoples and they were here prior to the other arrivals. People need to do a paradigm shift and re-evaluate how they perceive things as well as read your histories. Understanding, unfortunately, that history is generally written by those who have the "power," the images can still be unwavering and unfavorable for sects of people, but if you research deep enough, you will find some answers I am sure you were not taught in HS or in college. More than likely, you parents didn't teach you about it either. Anyway, your priviledge is something you take for granted. For these, it is something that was stripped of them - long before most of your families ever settled on these already occupied lands.
And finally... what about those children who did not have a choice in whether they would come here or not? Do we still treat them the same way? Social justice issue there, my friend, at least in my opionion. These children should not be held to the same standard... it was a decision not made by them, yet the punishment filters across to them unfairly. And as well, I have to wonder about children born in the States to "illegals." They are US citizens once born here. What do we do??? Ship their parents back across the border and keep them (the children)... send them to a bording school; put them into the system to become wards of the state/federal government? Again, what is just about this?
I say to you... look at all options and think clearly about what it is you say and how you say it. I am certain no one would like it if I suggested that we indigenous peoples help PACK EVERYONE's bags and ship them back to their respective countries... no? Is that not what we are proposing and doing here? Call me... I have been ready to help pack some bags for a LONG TIME! I am sure my grandparents and great-parents would have loved the opportunity, especially when they were being treated like this - from the very same type of people... consequently mirroring the American image.
Oh, and while I am on my soap box... I fucking hate the terminology "illegal alien." These are people, with feelings and purpose. Where the hell is humanity when calling them "aliens?" Stupid, illogical and unwarranted.
There... said it. Done.
