I Have Found the Gray Area

So everyone that knows me knows my opinion on illegal immigrants. For those of you that don't know my stance, I refuse to call them "undocumented workers" because they are criminals that broke the law from the moment they stepped onto US soil. They are given close to a free ride with benefits and other allowances even though they are here illegally. They are ILLEGAL.

Having said that, this story was run on the news last night.

No one asked me my opinion, so I will offer it with no regard to you, the reader. If you do not want to hear it, leave now.

Larissa Martinez came to the United States with her family in 2010 on a tourist visa. She and her family immediately started the process for citizenship. They have been waiting ever since, but her tourist visa has expired. This means her and her family are technically here illegally. That is the fact.

BUT

(and it is a big but)

They came in with documentation and started the process a long time ago to remain here legally. The only reason she is currently technically illegal is because our system is fucked up. The process for citizenship should not take 6 years. In her story, she mentioned that the officials are working on cases from 1996 at the moment.

Let that sink in for a second.

CASES FROM TWENTY FUCKING YEARS AGO!


Her unique situation - and there may be thousands or more in this same situation - presents a gray area that people are neglecting to acknowledge. They did everything right. They filled out the forms and started the process that I can only assume is done with 19th century technology. I can apply for a house loan and get told if I am approved or denied in a month, for crying out loud.

She is not "illegal". She is at the mercy of an antiquated procedural cluster fuck that has prevented her and her family from pursuing the American Dream. There is no reason for the process to be as it is. Along with the reforms in all other aspects of our fucked up government, this should be completely overhauled.

I am not a heartless bastard. I am not unreasonable to the plight of immigrants. I am only saying that labeling her as an "undocumented immigrant" or an "illegal immigrant" is unfair and not entirely true. They did all that they needed to in order to legalize their status. It is now up to the government to get their shit together and stop using these stories as fuel for the fire to continue to divide the country.

In the upcoming election, shit will hit fans. We need the media to bring us together, as a nation, instead of driving us apart.