Honesty in Immigration

Immigration has been hotly debated in America since the country's inception, and recent developments in Arizona are no different. While there are some valid reasons to consider new or reformed laws regarding immigration, it is eerie to ponder the idea of any citizen having to provide evidence of citizenship at any given time. Considering the sci-fi horror films and historical images it invokes, it is fair to consider new immigration laws in the context of America's past.

It's easy to forget that America's roots are highly controversial themselves. In a country where the current population does not even vaguely resemble its native population, one can't point fingers at immigrants without first looking at themselves.

Although I consider myself American, I trace my heritage back to countries like Norway, Croatia, Germany, and Ireland as few as three generations back. After so few generations, I've been utterly assimilated into American culture. The one trait I do occasionally get discriminated on is my gender.

I know several families who have been in America, and especially the state of Texas, for many, many more generations than I have. But because of the color of their skin, they would be subject to the provisions of the proposed Arizona immigration law. It's awareness of this fact that gives me the greatest pause when considering immigration reform, and the fact that so many Americans seem to forget, being part of a country is based on much more than just looks. And if Arizona plans to implement this regulation, it may be wise to come up with more credible criteria on which to base citizenship checks.