Illegal immigrants savvy, not victims
I'm tired of people treating illegal immigrants like helpless victims needing to be defended.
I do not see them as helpless or needing of rescue. They are gutsy people who left everything to pursue a better life and have managed to carve out a nice niche for themselves and avail themselves of "the system" in America.
They are not victims. They are resourceful. I do not agree with them doing so, but understand their reasons.
People who want to live in denial are ignoring the basic facts.
Illegal immigration in Elgin has caused property values to be low. Middle income people with children would not choose Elgin because officially or unofficially, this is known as a sanctuary city.
The schools are poor (as dedicated teachers are bogged down with children with severe behavioral issues and language barriers), there is increased gang activity and higher crime rates.
People are apparently afraid to speak openly about these facts, I suppose for fear of being labeled racist.
The self-righteous who want to turn a blind eye, apparently have never had their lives negatively impacted by illegal immigration.
They have never had to live in a low-income neighborhood in which they are a white minority and target of racism and hostility. They do not have to live next door to drug dealers and be surrounded by gang activity. They do not have to feel leery of letting their young children play outdoors.
Is all this attributed to the immigrant population? Obviously, no. But to deny it is a large component is naive.
They have never had to send their kids to an low-performing school in which they, as the white minority, have their needs ignored as immigrant children are catered to.
Would they opt to live in an immigrant-filled neighborhood or is it easier to live in a world of lofty ideals, tucked away in their upscale neighborhoods where it is easy to pretend racial tension does not exist?
I think people would feel less there was an "invasion" happening in Elgin if the immigrant population did not treat legal residents with such hostility.
It comes back to that sense of entitlement and refusal to assimilate. They fly their Mexican flags with a sense of defiance, showing a blatant lack of respect for American values and culture. I would never dream of going to another country and disrespect its culture, refuse to learn the language, and showing open hostility and racism to the legal residents.
Where, except in America, would this be tolerated?
Where are the bleeding hearts working for all the legal Americans in need?
What happened to the logic of taking care of your own first?
Stop seeing as victims those who are more savvy about the American system than most Americans will ever be.
Anthony Keys
Elgin