What’s happening at our borders with the massive uncontrolled influx of migrants from various countries and nations brings great concerns and ire from the majority of citizens of the USA.

I am an immigrant from the Philippines who immigrated to the United States in 1946 right after World War II. The opportunity was extended to families who could fulfill the need for laborer’s for the Sugar and Pineapple Industries in Hawaii. Families were given free passage to Hawaii with the stipulation that they would have free passage back to their country of origin, if things did not pan out as they envisioned.

Although my immigration scenario is vastly different from the current situation occurring today, there are some basic fundamentals that remain the same and are critical for understanding the perspective of the immigrants. There will always be a percentage of the immigrants whose motives are questionable and have undertones of criminal conduct or association.

The majority of immigrants want to come to this country to access the opportunities for a better life for their family. They do not have those same opportunities and hope for the future in their country of origin. I see many similarities in my family from so many years ago and the families of immigrants I have had an occasion to converse with and visit. Our stories are really not very different. Many come prepared to do whatever it takes to establish a good life for their family. In fact, a lot of families are being prepped by established immigrants who have come before them. They come prepared to do various things for income while trying to obtain permanent employment. An example I heard recently is gathering plants, shrubs available in abundance in our forests that they dry and use in floral arrangements and decorative home furnishings. They could earn up to $400 – $500 per harvest. Many offer themselves as day laborers, doing whatever assigned/requested of them. Many sit on busy street corners selling fruits, vegetables or even flowers representing cooperative farms, or private owners. They are very dedicated and very hard workers.

They are education focused for themselves and very much so for their children. The goal of good education is ingrained in the children. The parents sacrifice much to insure that their children receive an education all the way through the college level.

In tandem with education, these immigrants are frugal, yet are gracious to send funds to their homeland to help loved ones remaining in their old country. I’m not an expert on exchange rates, but I’m sure the dollar is valued more than their own country and the exchange rate provides them a benefit.

The final emphasis for these families is on being model citizens, at least for our generation. We were taught to be thankful and grateful for the opportunities presented to us and to express it through good citizenship adhering to all the laws of the country. Whatever your sentiments, opinions or criticisms are concerning immigration, do give this perspective a sincere consideration.

We do have a system in place that affords all immigrants an opportunity to legally become a full fledged citizen of the United States of America. It’s already established and proven to work, we just need to adhere to it and enforce it. I became a proud citizen of the USA at the age of 15 in 1958!

America is truly beautiful…let’s pledge together to keep it that way! We are Family!