Blog 2

Immigration Interviews:


Lindsay's Interview

Grant – Tradesman (Carpenter)

Me:  I am exploring the topic of immigration and, more specifically, The Immigration Reform. 

Me:  Do you think the Immigration Reform important?  Why/ Why not?

Grant:  Yes, I think the immigration reform is important.  Right now, people who are trying to become citizens of the U.S. can be wait-listed for a long time.  If it were easier for people to come here legally, and to become citizens, there wouldn’t be so many undocumented immigrants in this country. 

Me:  Do you think others in our community think this is an important problem? Why/ why not?

Grant:  As a carpenter, I can say that the people in my field of work are opposed to undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants work for less pay, which takes away business from legitimate, tax paying workers.

Me:  What policy, if any, does government now have to deal with this problem?

Grant:  I’m not entirely sure, but I do know that the government spends a lot of money protecting the border.

Me:  What are advantages of this policy?

Grant:  The goal is to protect are economy and our society from being abused.  The policies are to prevent people who don’t contribute from reaping the benefits, such as health care and welfare, etc.

Me:  What are disadvantages of this policy?

Grant:  It is an outdated policy, and once people are past the border there is not enough enforcement to find these people, unless they get into trouble.  

Me:  How might the policy be improved?

Grant:  A lot needs to be improved, and Obama’s proposition touches upon most of these things.  However, I think streamlining legal immigration needs the most improvement.  If it were easier for foreigners to obtain visas, and come into the country legally, then there would not be so many illegal immigrants.

Me:  Does the policy need to be replaced?  Why?

Grant:  It definitely needs to be fixed.

Me:  What disagreements, if any, about the policy exist in this community?

Grant:  There are many disagreements, especially when it comes to the topic of illegal immigrants being employed.  Some would say illegal immigrants take away jobs from tax paying U.S citizens, and others say they are the crutch of our economy, especially when it comes to the agricultural industry.  Illegal immigrants often take the low paying, jobs that most U.S citizens don’t want, like working in the fields all day.

Reflection:  After interviewing Grant about the topic of immigration, and the Immigration Reform, my eyes were opened up to a whole new view on immigration.  When Grant began telling me about how the people, whom he works with, feel about immigration, I had to agree with what he was saying.  I don't blame him for being bitter towards undocumented immigrants.  Grant works hard, and pays A LOT of taxes, whereas illegal immigrants work just as hard, and do not have to give any of their money to the government.  I also realize that one of the biggest concerns about immigrants is not that they are coming into this country, but rather that they are not "playing by the same set of rules".  I now feel even more strongly about the need for The Immigration Reform.  





Lisa's Interview:

Jessica (friend and a baker)

Q. Is this a problem you think is important?  Why/ Why not?
A. I feel its important because it will allow more jobs to companies that are in need of it and more importantly it will help immigrants become U.S citizens at a much faster pace and allow everyone the same and equal amount of rights

Q. Do you think others in our community think this is an important problem? why/ why not?
A. Yes, because I know everyone in our community believes in equal rights and laws among everyone

Q. What policy, if any, does government now have to deal with this problem?
A. I don't know. I only know a small bit about the reform

Q. What are advantages of this policy?
A. Everyone will be following the same process of paying taxes, following the law and speaking the same language. No one will be given "special" treatment for coming over as an immigrant and having jobs given to them. They will now have to work and earn them just like everyone else

Q. What are disadvantages of this policy?
A. If some people manage to make it over the border, it may be hard to find them to enforce this policy on them

Q. How might the policy be improved?
A.  Streamlining legal immigrants need the most improvement

Q. Does the policy need to be replaced?  why?
A. Not replaced but fixed

Q. What disagreements, if any, about the policy exist in this community?
A. Illegal immigrants take away jobs from tax paying U.S citizens


Reflection:
I have learned a lot from doing the interview with Jessica.  I have slowly been coming to the realization that many people (along with Jessica) like the Reform Act hat Obama is trying to pass because it does allow equal opportunities for everyone, not just Americans.  One thing that I liked about the interview with Jessica is she seems to focus on equal rights for everyone within the reform, whether they were born in the United States or not (if they are legal).  By doing this interview, I was able to see someone else's views on my topic and I have realized that she has the same views as myself, which makes me think that there are many more people who feel the same way!