Alien Invasion
I have always been fascinated by extra-terrestrials. I believe in UFOs and aliens, and am such a huge fan of George Lucas' Star Wars movies.

But this is not about aliens from outer space. This is about aliens from other countries.

One of the biggest and most controversial issues facing the United States right now is about illegal immigrants. It has divided the nation and sparked demonstrations in different parts of the country.

I am an alien in the United States, but a legal one, at that. I was petitioned by my mother in 1987 as an immigrant. I finally received my packet 3 (which contains around 6 pages of the application form) in 2000, 13 years after my petiton. Yes, it took that long for everything to be processed. You would not believe the backlog in the US Embassy in Manila -- there's simply too many applicants from the Philippines. Last I heard, they are now processing applications from the year 1990.

Several years after 2000, I am now a Green Card holder, a legal immigrant living in the USA.

They say that a lot of things have changed since 9/11. It is no longer easy to apply for your Social Security nor for a driver's license. You need documents proving your legal existence in the country. Lucky are those who, even as tourists only, were able to apply for Social Security before 9/11.

Still, there are millions of undocumented migrants staying in the country, even prior to 9/11. And the numbers keep growing every single day.

The issue of illegal immigrants in the US is a tricky and sensitive one, primarily because it is about people's lives and futures.

First Point: They say that these "illegals" contribute to the economy, taking on jobs that Americans reject, and at much-lower wages. Yes. They are our gardeners, our janitors, our carpenters. They are an important part of our lives!

Second Point: They say that there are some who do pay taxes to the government. Sure. I salute those who have taken that road!

Third: They are honest, hardworking people who just want to improve their lives, their families' lives. True. That is a reality, even for most of my fellow Filipinos who move to the US, Canada, other countries in Asia, and even Australia and New Zealand. After all, we come from a third-world nation. Search for greener pastures, and not just poverty, drives even the most patriotic to foreign shores, leaving behind their own beloved country, and sometimes, their families, too.

Everybody deserves a chance at a better life, and I am not just speaking of illegal aliens from Mexico, south of our border -- there are a lot of Filipino illegal aliens living in the US, too (I may even know some of them ... *wink wink*).

I do agree with the three above-mentioned points, and can sympathize with the emotional angle of simply wanting a better life for one's family. However, not all illegal immigrants pay their taxes. Only some are conscientious enough to do that. I am paying taxes to my state. I am paying taxes to the federal government. That's tax times two (x2).

Along with living and working in this country, illegal immigrants can avail of educational and health benefits -- every child has a right to education; no hospital can turn patients away. These benefits make this country great. However, these cover not just the poor but also the undocumented. I am paying for illegal immigrants' health benefits. What's up with that?! I might as well walk up to the hospital cashier and say that I am illegal and jobless, just to avoid paying for my health services.

Speaking of health services, some tourists abuse this right to free health services, too. It is a common practice for pregnant tourists to give birth in the US, just to make their child an American citizen. But for pregnant tourists to give birth in the US, and at the same time, claim health benefits as destitutes? I cannot fathom that -- "destitute tourists", a contradiction of terms. Now that sounds funny. Hahaha. *wink wink* again

The United State of America is a nation with migrant ancestry -- the country was invaded by Europeans. The only original and true Americans are Native Americans or Indians. California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas were originally part of Mexico.

Being a new and legal immigrant to the US, I am not about to become smug and arrogant, thinking that I have the "K" (karapatan, or "right" in English) to rally behind and support anti-immigration moves or policies. But my say is this -- I am happy to support the poor and underprivileged of this country, so long as they are legally eligible. I am not quite pleased paying my taxes for "unauthorized" beneficiaries, and that means illegal aliens. I don't accept their demands (we want our drivers' licenses; we are entitled to education and health care; etc.) -- you have done something illegal, yet you have the gall to make demands? Sounds a bit like ransom to me.

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!!"


This is not just about money and the taxes I pay which benefit illegals. This is about doing things the legal and even difficult way, like I did. The United States is not my country, the land of my birth. Indeed, I am all for migration, if that's what a person wants to do, regardless of reason or motive. After all, this population is a mixture of all races and nationalities. Lady Liberty will take in all aliens (Maybe even those from outer space? Refer to photo accompanying this blog entry). But before you or even I claim any stake in this country, let us do things the right and legal way. No ifs, no buts.