Point - Counter Point: Immigration

Immigrating to This Country Was the Most Difficult Thing I Have Ever Done.
By Julio Fernandez

Well, they say the third time is the charm. Perhaps it was the small trailer that 57 of us crammed into for $1,000 a piece, or the smell our refuse as we traveled non-stop for three days, but the third time was rather forgettable seeing that we got caught a mile or so past the boarder. Now the 8th time was truly a pleasant experience as my wife and three children finally made it across into this terrific country of opportunity. Sure it was difficult living in an apartment with two other families as I tried to find what ever work I could. My family did small jobs while I worked as many hours as I could for a few dollars a week. The money that my wife brought in from collecting cans and bottles afforded us the finer things in life like shoes. Eventually I have caught on working for a contractor who pays us about $7 an hour with no insurance or benefits of any kind, but it is work. Since we lived in the fields of my country, far from any hospitals, my children did not have the benefit of having birth certificates so they could not receive health care or education back home. Here they get to go to school and my hope is that they will have a better life than I when it is all said and done. Sure it was hard work to get here but it was worth the hiding in the desert, the miles of walking and the dark nights thinking that we were not going to make it. I guess when one has nothing to lose and only hope in their hearts they can do the impossible.

Immigrating to This Country Was the Easiest Thing I Ever Did.
By Seamus MacDonald
When I came her in '28 I was still just a wee lad. I remember it like it was yesterday. Pa came home and told us that we were moving to America. This was joyous news as we had already sent off Uncle Paul and his family two years before. I remember the excitement when Ma opened the first letter and there was $10 dollars in the envelope! I had never seen so much money in me life! Anywho we packed up our suitcases and boarded a ship to America. The trip seemed to take forever but when we finally saw the great Lady Liberty we were amazed at our new home. All we had to do was wait in line at this old island were we registered our name and former home. Just like that we were American Citizens with all the glorious benefits of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit o' happiness! Pa got a job in the mines in no time at all and it was enough money to keep Ma at home and food in me belly. Besides we didn't have to bow down to no monarchy! Sure the depression was hard on all of us but we still found work and now that I am retired I get most of me bills paid when I see the doctor about me prostate. It's a bloody shame that these illegal immigrants keep trying to come into this country. Don't they know that the sign says "No Vacancy?"