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Celeste Chavez

Ms. Gardner

English 10H/ Per. 4

22 November 2016

Letter to the President

Dear Mr. President-elect of the United States of America,

I, a passionate, powerful, and politically- concerned person, write to strongly request for

you to take action on the issue of immigration into the United States/ immigrants. Immigration is

the act of people going from one place to a foreign country to live there permanently. At one

point in history, all ethnicities besides the Native Americans, have immigrated to become apart

of this country. Many people have the idea that immigrants are causing harm to our country. The

issue of immigrants and immigration into the United States is controversial; however,

immigrants should have more respect, protection, and opportunities than they do now.

Immigrants help contribute to the flourishing country that we are today and should be

treated equally to all other humans. For instance, many economists have stated that immigration

helps build the economy of our nation (HuffingtonPost). According to the Migration Policy

Institute, immigration boosts productivity, employment, and income and does not reduce the

rates of native employment in a general overview. On the contrary, immigrants introduce

populations of people who have to consume to survive, which in turn help small businesses to

thrive (HuffingtonPost). Furthermore, Mexican immigrants actually make up four percent of the

U.S. Gross Domestic Product, reports Huffington Post journalist Nataly Kelly. This research
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supports my claim that immigrants indeed contribute to our society and are not always the

danger we should be looking out for. If the majority of the population of immigrants are helping

our nation why should we disrespect them or want to evade them?

Our immigrants need to be treated in a better manner than they are being treated right

now and need better protection. Often times, immigrants are blamed for things they are not

responsible for, and are viewed negatively, and are treated poorly, and are dehumanized. For

instance, take into account some of the current events happening in our country as of this

moment. For example, the incident in Jackson Heights, Queens. There, two houses were filled by

deaf Mexican immigrants living in virtual slavery. Most had to endure eighteen-hour days

selling items on the subway, not going home until they were sure to sell their required quota of

one hundred items a day, each worth one dollar (New York Times). The fear, the uncertainty, the

confusion, the oppression, caused them to keep still in their condition. Documented and

undocumented immigrants are more susceptible to fraud, abuse, and crime. For example,

undocumented workers are often times oppressed and hushed in their workspace. According to

the Southern Poverty Law Center, employers use their immigration status and threaten to have

any illegal immigrant deported, leaving them without the power to object to any injustices in

wage or treatment. My familys history has opened my eyes to the injustices spoonfed to

immigrants. Their time of working in the berry and lettuce fields of Salinas, CA in harsh

temperatures, a mist of pesticides, and almost non-existent pay, has always astonished me.

Several of my cousins and siblings also worked alongside the adults in painstaking labor that

never seemed to end. This, being one of the many things immigrants had to bear. This, being one

of the many reasons immigrants need hope. This, being one of the many reasons people
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frequently ostracize immigrants. The managers, employers, and the common people, they are the

waters that are trying to slowly drown the success of immigrants everywhere. Overall,

immigrants are being exploited and are exposed to harsh circumstances which are not humane.

Immigrants need better change.

My plan to address this issue may be complicated considering the condition that our

society is in as of right now. I propose that there should be a law passed that protects all

immigrants from deportation or punishment if speaking up to declare a crime or fraud.

Consequences would vary if the immigrant had been previously convicted of a crime. As for the

mentality of people, that is one we can not simply change but instead it must change simply on

its own. I acknowledge that some may disagree with my proposal. Some may say that illegal

immigrants should be immediately deported back to where they came from instead of being

protected. Although, if immigrants were given safety here in the U.S., they could keep assisting

the flourishing of our nation and greatly benefit many. I invite you, Mr. President-elect, to assist

me in applying action to my voice.

In conclusion, immigrants should be given more respect, protection and opportunities as

of right now. Immigration positively impacts the economy, and creates the blessed diversity we

have in our nation. Every American needs to take individual action on this right now. I can only

hope that we will all work together to being compassionate towards all, expressing an opening as

well as closure. Only He knows if our future is indeed one nation under Him, indivisible, with

liberty and justice for all.

Sincerely,

Celeste Chavez
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