I am an immigrant to the USA. I first came here on an invitation by a friend. With a three month leave of absence from my job, I arrived to see what the USA was all about.
What I found were open and generous people and a sense of freedom and opportunity that you do not find anywhere else in the world. My love affair with the USA began.
I obtained visa extensions until I could no longer stay here legally. I had a job offer by someone willing to sponsor me (legally be responsible for my bills) for a green card.
I returned to Chile and lived through nerve-racking bureaucratic delays, including checking out my background. Finally, more than two years after I had first come to the USA, I returned as a legal working productive resident.
Later I applied for and received US citizenship. But before I was given this privilege I was given a book to study and learn about the Constitution, laws and history of the USA. I also had to take a test to demonstrate my knowledge of my adopted country.
Today I see President Obama’s government giving privileges to illegal immigrants that they do not give to US citizens. It is an affront to all legal citizens and residents.
When the state of Arizona tried to enforce Federal immigration laws, the Obama Administration sued the state to stop them from enforcing the law. When the US Supreme Court ruled recently that Arizona police have the right to check the immigration status of anyone they stopped for breaking the law (e.g., speeding), the Obama administration responded by saying they will not process any illegal immigrant referrals from Arizona. And a Customs Enforcement agent is being threatened with suspension for arresting an illegal immigrant.
The Obama administration is actively trying to put as many illegal immigrants as possible on welfare programs. For example, The Department of Agriculture is putting out promotional brochures suggesting people give food stamp parties to increase participation. The number of people on food stamps has almost doubled in Obama’s 3 1/2 years.
There are also government programs that allow immigrants to go to school in their native Spanish. Alleged good intentions are not compassionate when they condemn people to a lifetime second class status by depriving people the tools (English fluency) to live the American dream.
Many US companies are moving their operations and jobs overseas because they cannot get work visas for people with needed technical skills. Apparently President Obama and his Democrat supporters only want illiterate and uninformed people to move here since that is their voter base. Educated people who could help create more jobs need not apply.
After seeing how the socialist president of my native Chile destroyed its economy by massive redistribution of wealth through welfare programs, taking over private enterprises and openly refusing to enforce its Constitution and laws, it saddens me to see President Obama and Liberals here doing the same in this country.
Luisa Castillo-Davis
23 Sourwood Lane
Hayesville, NC 28904
828 389 8971 or cell 828 557 3930
