Summary of My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant - Paper Example

Immigration is a common trend especially from the less developed or developing countries to the first world. The perception that the developed countries provide unique opportunities for career development and economic prosperity inspires the movement from one country to the other. So much documentation is involved in securing a legal stay in a foreign country hence limiting free movement across the territorial borders of nations. Nonetheless, there are many cases whereby people smuggle their relatives using fake documents in anticipation that they will acquire the residence and slowly integrate into the system through getting the legally acceptable papers. In the expose story of My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant, the narrator who is himself an illegal immigrant encapsulates the ordeals that undocumented immigrants go through during their stay in the United States and by extension any foreign land.

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Though there are several ways through which individuals can acquire US citizenship including a green card, naturalization, or birth, most people do not get such means of legal citizenship hence resort to illegitimate means of acquiring it including the faking of critical documents (Vargas, 2017). Using faked documents to enter the United States of America can be successful, but it sets the immigrants into a protracted conflict with the authorities. Without the initial immigration document, it becomes difficult for undocumented immigrants to obtain other subsequent identification documents such as the driving license, social security number, and mailing addresses. At the initial stages of immigration, an immigrant has to contend with culture shock expressed through difficulty in communication and struggling to cope with classroom expectations (Vargas, 2017). When an illegal manages to overcome all such initial challenges, many frustrations confront them on issues such as getting permanent employment, full citizenship, or extension of residence.

The fear of being apprehended by the legal authorities, the guilt of being an alien and the restrictions within the American systems make it strenuous for illegal immigrants to interact and contribute to national development freely. In the case of the narrator, the American dream that accommodates hard working people who contribute to the socio-political and economic wellbeing of fellow compatriots inspired his mother to smuggle him there. Later after getting to the US, he expected that through his hard work he would be accepted and integrated there (Vargas, 2017). Nonetheless, it is evident that as much as the US believes in the need to accommodate had working citizens, it also strictly guards on the identities of people who become part of it.

The narrators grandfather who facilitated his illegal migration to the United States expected that his grandchild would only manage to get menial and low paying jobs due to lack of the right documents. This fact exposes the restrictions that befall undocumented immigrants about getting recruitments into well-paying jobs. Lack of the required immigration documents as an illegal immigrant is itself a limiting factor for them to use their expertise for the general good of the USA.

The chances of academic success for undocumented immigrants are limited compared to those of the legal citizens. For instance, students who are illegal immigrants cannot exploit their sense of adventure to its fullest. They cannot always move to distant places on academic trips due to the fear of being arrested for lack of identification papers. Furthermore, families that cannot afford to pay the fees for their immigrant children end up letting them drop out of school since they cannot get the financial aid from the state for lack of the necessary documents (Vargas, 2017). Instead of focusing on personal achievements, illegal immigrants often concentrate on the ways they can use to become documented immigrants and get the privileges that come with such acquisitions. Nonetheless, it turns out that this struggle imposes on them self-denial and living as imposters. In such a lifestyle, it is impossible for them to progress.

Even with the best social support networks such as teachers, fellow students, and the general community, undocumented immigrants live with many suspicions. After a period of being in the foreign land and working hard, an illegal immigrant may slowly develop a sense of comfort, but incidences such as reading and reporting issues of illegal immigrations and ownership of fake immigration documents trigger the feeling of guilt (Vargas, 2017). Even when the person succeeds to use arbitrary means of claiming citizenship, the fact that he or she lacks the papers to prove citizenship prevents them from equal treatments as the natives. Despite the professional or academic achievements of an illegal immigrant, there is always a lingering fear that reminds them of being aliens and impostors (Vargas, 2017). Lack of leniency in accommodating the illegal immigrants create a system in which such people contribute to the progress of America, feel patriotic and pay taxes, but the country they so cherish seems unwelcoming to them.

What it means to be an American and a citizen

The concept of being an American is complicated and debatable. Based on the contemplations of the founding fathers, America was built on the spirit of togetherness, accommodation and a subtle American dream. Beyond mere ownership of documents showing belongingness to America, the American ideal provides that every citizen of the country should be granted equal opportunities for success and prosperity based on their efforts, initiatives, and determination (Sintetos, 2005). At the center of being an American is the question of citizenship. One must have either of the following, Citizenship by Naturalization, birth or other means such as marrying an American or becoming a US military to become an American.

Due to the lack of the necessary identification documents that could otherwise make immigrants American citizens, they are relegated as illegals despite the huge risks they take to become part of the American society. From the standpoint of the American Creed, anyone who believes in the prosperity of the country and invests in its progress stands the chance of being considered an American. In essence, an American is one who through a sense of patriotism protects and fights for the American dream (Sintetos, 2005). Nonetheless, in practice, an American is one who has all the legal residence documents to allow them to become part of the wider community. It is considered a fundamental requirement that one first becomes an American citizen before they can join its Creed.

Imagining a Quintessential America

A perfect America is one that not only upholds the rule of law but also respects the rights of its people. It is understandable that just as Americans of goodwill ought to contribute to its socio-economic and political prosperity; it has to give back to them through protecting fundamental freedoms and upholding the absolute sense of human dignity in dealing with people within its territory (Huhndorf, 2001). A strong America would be not only a beacon of economic progress but also an example to the world on how best to treat the minority races, immigrants, and the most unfortunate in the society.

As opposed to the engendered perception of some immigrants as criminals, a perfect America would not be prejudicial in dealing with people from different races. Tolerance to diversity would be at the center of a quintessential America (Huhndorf, 2001). Conversely, patriotic citizens ought to exercise their freedoms without undermining the need for others also to achieve self-determination (Huhndorf, 2001). Anyone who contributes positively to the development of America irrespective of gender, race and socio-political affiliation economic status should be accommodated in a tolerant America.

What It Means To Be a Citizen

The debate about the need to accept immigrants from various countries into other nations including the United States has complicated the discourse on what makes a citizen and the ideals of citizenship. Legally, a citizen is one who duly meets the stipulated due process required for being granted such rights and obligations. For instance, one becomes a citizen of the US through naturalization or birth, which are accompanied by the issuance of various papers to assert the citizenship (Sintetos, 2005). Nonetheless, being a citizen is more than just having the legal authority to stay in a particular territory. Citizenship is a show of subtle relations that an individual develops with his or her country, which confers nationalism, responsibility, obligations and freedom. Citizens have a duty to participate actively in the building of their local communities and economies through devotion and sheer hard work.

How the Nature of Citizenship in the US Is Exclusionary

Citizens are duty-bound to work in earnest for the economic, social and political advancement of their countries. In essence, a citizen is as good as he or she transforms the society in which he or she lives. However, the American system is very limiting on who becomes a citizen within the legal perspectives (Sniderman, Hagendoorn, & Prior, 2004). For instance, some immigrants, though undocumented, contribute immensely in their career for the general wellbeing of the Americans but are still considered illegals under the law. In fact, illegal immigrants can be extradited to their respective countries when they are identified (Sniderman, Hagendoorn, & Prior, 2004). The fact that there are specific means through which one can claim American citizenship including birth and naturalization implies that any person who cannot meet the eligibility requirements for such mechanisms cannot be lawfully accepted in the country even if he or she believes in the American dream.

Ways through Which the Vargas Story Both Challenge And Reinforce Our Ideas of What a Real American Is

America stands out as a leading democracy that upholds human rights and provides opportunities for its citizens to prosper. Based on Vargas story, it is evident that America is replete with opportunities for all. For instance, he managed to get various employments though he used fake documents. He worked at The San Francisco Chronicle, The Seattle Times, and worked part time at Subway, among several other jobs he got when still a student. In America, one can achieve the aspirations he or she set out to make provided a determination, commitment, and hard work. Vargas had set out to become a distinguished journalist at an early stage of entering the US, which he eventually achieved.

The fact that Vargas found understanding and comforting social support networks as an alien in the US underscores the reputation of the country as a tolerant to diversity and accommodative to people of all backgrounds who have a dream for prosperity (Castles & Davidson, 2000). However, some aspects of the experiences through which the narrator went through are reminiscent of the racial America in which discrimination defined virtually every aspect of the society. For instance, at his visit to the D.M.V. office to get his drivers permit, Vargas was warned by the attending officer not to return to the facility without further clarifications on the factors necessitating such a decision. The fact that Vegas managed to enter and stay in the US for more than two decades casts aspersions on the security of the country, especially in an era characterized by terrorist attacks.

America recognizes the fact that the world experiences challenges that result in risky attempts by nationals of some countries to enter America. Though it professes to respect human welfa...