IF WE ALL KNOW THAT RIGHTS MEAN RESPONSABILITIES, DOES IT MEAN IT’S THE OTHER WAY AROUND TOO?

I didn’t want to begin by stating a thesis everyone expects to hear again, I think it is a waste of time because everybody knows it, but then again it has to be repeated time after time until it finally finds someone who will stop and listen.

Immigrants do, in fact, contribute to the economy of this country. They contribute by paying taxes (in the form of sales tax to income). They contribute by trying to learn as fast as possible in any way that might help them to assimilate and become part of a working society so they can work shoulder to shoulder with their neighbor and they contribute by helping in the development of businesses and agriculture which can be translated into profits for American business. Immigrants give to the state they are living in and of course, being human beings, yes they receive benefits that most of the time, as human beings they simply need and deserve.

I am well aware of the responsibilities each country has, and I am not saying undocumented immigrants in America should have the rights that any American citizen -for being an American citizen -should have, yet - as such human beings –they should still be given at least the recognition that they have rights, some rights and one of them is to be considered with some due respect and as a contributor who is meaningful to the growth of this nation. In the case of this great city of Atlanta, was it not the American citizens and developers who invited the Latino immigrants in mass to work in Atlanta to meet the deadlines for development for the 1996 Olympics?

Recently I had the chance to share with the Jewish community the inauguration of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. I, while watching the film, “Jews and Baseball-An American Love Story”, was able to hear within the script of the documentary many phrases that, unfortunately, I still hear today with my people. The same happened to me when I-on a Saturday evening- was watching Amistad.

Since young I have admired and defended the idea of the American Dream and the people who came to this country searching for a better everything. Most of them found it, and while finding it they were able to build a nation that is still a pride to each of its citizens. I never thought that I will be living here or that I will witness so much pain and sometimes so many injustices as I see each day in my position.

Regarding immigration, I see the point of some of the detractors of undocumented immigrants or at least, trying to be fair and wise, I try to understand it. But seeing what we see each day, I cannot stop from raising my voice trying to reach the soul of the common American man, who doesn't have any political agenda and wants to hear all the facts so that he can issue an opinion that is coming from himself; an opinion that will reflect what an American citizen is. And if, in order to knock the latch I have to reach too high or bend low, I will indeed knock it if that means somebody will open the door.

How come the simple and basic rights of immigrant parents are being dismissed due to their ignorance, their poverty, or their being different? Why in a country where the value of family is still the sacred core of its foundation?

Each day there are hospitals that deny a person who is dying of kidney failure, for example, the chance to avoid a horrible death and now, they are talking about denying education to children as it was denied long ago to those that too were different.

On the other hand, each day I receive calls from many American institutions and individuals who are trying to find a way to be able to extend their hands and help people in need.

I choose to believe that the latter is the voice of this country, because that is how this country is recognized and has been remembered for. Justice, Fairness, Humanity

We are not all responsible for the social problems that derive from illegal immigration and, indeed, the responsibilities of any progressive country are to provide education, health while it should strive to provide a healthy economic environment and conditions for its nationals. However, at the same time, the countries that have to deal with illegal immigration must not refuse to address it, rather solve it in a comprehensive and humane manner.

So, although I know it has been said before I raise here my voice and

humbly remind you that “To remove all the illegal immigrants from the state can mean that Georgia would lose $21.3 billion in economic activity, which would cost the state an additional 132,460 jobs, according to study done for Americans for Immigration Reform, a Houston-based, business-sponsored group that supports changes to current immigration law."

This stated, wouldn't we all agree that having complaining with duties such as paying taxes could mean the right to be considered a person who evidently is willing to contribute to the progress of this country?

Maybe the path this nation seems to be taking might be changed, but, are we sure that is what we want, and economically speaking, would we be able to face it?

-Beatriz Illescas Putzeys