Changing times in America

For so many years now, the Statue of Liberty has been a symbol of welcome for immigrants across all nations seeking a new life in America. The sight of Liberty, also called the "Mother of Exiles," meant a new land, new hope, and a new opportunity. That symbolism however has drastically changed after 9-11. A bill passed by the US Congress in December called for stricter border protection, with supporters arguing that porous borders have made it easy for terrorists to enter the United States. The House bill also makes it a felony to stay in the US without proper papers, and those who aid illegal immigrants will face prison terms.

Today, United States politicians are engaged in an emotional battle over immigration reform laws that would affect the fate of 11 million illegal immigrants in the US. While the US Senate has passed a sweeping reform bill that would pave the way for illegal immigrants to obtain legal status and created a guest worker program pushed by President Bush to allow workers to apply for citizenship without having to go home first, raging debates are expected because Americans are divided over the issue.

This is ironic considering that the United States calls itself the melting pot of races, a nation practically built by immigrants. Technically, America’s founding fathers were all illegal immigrants because the only real, legal citizens were the American Indians who were the original inhabitants long before the settlers arrived. Yet even today, American Indians are still considered second-class citizens.

In every American virtually flows an immigrant bloodline. John F. Kennedy had Irish roots, and President Bush’s English ancestry can be traced back to early Plymouth colony residents Thomas and Welthian Richards who were original pilgrims from England. His mother Barbara has English and German lineage courtesy of German-born Kate Pritzel, mother of Barbara’s paternal grandfather. Barbara is also a direct descendant of Henry Sampson, an Englishman who arrived onboard the Mayflower. In fact, Texas Governor Jeb Bush is married to a Mexican.

America is virtually a land of immigrants and now they are tightening laws all because Osama bin Laden has made Americans paranoid about foreigners and has changed the American way of life. Mexicans and the whole of Latin America have been most offended by the immigration bill passed by Congress because it provides for a 700-mile wall along the US and Mexican border. This electronic barrier will be mounted with cameras and electronic underground sensors to monitor and secure the border.

While China is getting ready to break down its Great Wall, the United States is putting up The Great Wall of America, a move that perhaps underscores its increasing isolationist role in the world. The US has interests all over the world, and it is suspected of having a hand in almost everything. But being a superpower, it has a price to pay – and this price is the compromise of its freedom and security. Unfortunately, what used to be an open society is now filled with suspicion and paranoia.

Bush said, "No one should play on people’s fears or try to pit neighbors against each other. No one should pretend that immigrants are a threat to American identity, because immigrants have shaped America’s identity." But the sad reality is that America is changing, and the underlying message in the debates over immigration laws is that immigrants are no longer welcome. As a matter of fact, visitors who overstay even for just a day in the US will most likely have their visas revoked. Green card holders who stay away for more than six months would not be granted an extension, except for extraordinary circumstances. While other countries including the Philippines allow dual citizenship, the US as a matter of policy does not allow it. America wants total allegiance, requiring naturalized citizens to "absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty."

Today, we have an average of 100,000 Filipinos applying for immigrant status, but perhaps only a tenth of that number will be lucky to have their applications approved. Ironically, we have so many Filipinos who have lived in the United States wanting to come back no matter what the political situation is in this country. Many of these Filipinos have missed the warmth and closeness that is the trademark of families here in the Philippines. One of them, a friend of mine, Tony Sison and his wife Beng, now live 24/7 in their home in Batangas. They lived in New York for over 30 years, deciding to finally come home and just visiting their children in the United States every year. Some of these expats have been totally burned out by the lifestyle in America. Many talk about their sad and horrific experiences with their children who have lost Filipino traits like respect for their elders. Filipino kids who are born and raised in America also develop an identity crisis because they grow up exposed to the liberal American way of life, but at home, they face a more traditional set of values from Filipino parents.

A lot of people ask for my advise whether they should stay here or pack up and leave, and I always say to them, "Go forth and look for greener pastures but never ever burn your bridges with the land of your birth – in the end, you will always come back." We can complain, we can rant and rave about everything that is happening here in the Philippines but at the end of the day, this is still your country, and it will always be home.

* * *

E-mail: [email protected]