Student reaction mixed to immigrant events
Ryan Tubongbanua / The Collegian
Carlos Perez, chair of the Chicano and Latin American Studies Department, looks on as students hold hands in support of immigrant rights. |
By Enrique Martin
The Collegian
Starting at the Free Speech Area in Fresno State, students marched wearing white T-shirts with American and other Hispanic countries’ flags to Fresno’s City Hall.
There they met about 15,000 other people who came to demonstrate for immigrant rights.
The march starting on campus was put together by organizations including M.E.Ch.A., which assembled a rally in support of the legalization of undocumented immigrants.
Students who stayed in school had their own opinions about the marches.
“If they are tax payers, they should be legalized as long as nobody mooches the government,” said Scott Calderwood, a speech language pathology major. “This is not just about Mexicans. It’s for all immigrants, Canadians, Chinese and Europeans.”
Other students, like Kristin Marchesi, business marketing major, had a different opinion on the protests.
Marchesi said if immigrants have already created a lifestyle here, they are welcome to stay as long as they are legal.
Proposed bill HR4437 was mentioned in the protest. The bill criminalizes undocumented immigrants and those who assist them, such as teachers and charity workers.
Some Fresno State students said a bill like HR4437 is out of the question, since there are many undocumented people and students that have been in the United States most, if not all, of their lives.
“It’s for a good cause,” said Hiren Patel, a freshman business management major. “They should get the benefits, if the permanent residence comes to them they deserve it. They are also working for America,” Patel said.
Megan Boersma, a senior criminology and victimology major, said she understands what immigrants are going through.
“My parents came from Holland in the early 80s and they also had to be legalized. I think that everyone should have the chance to be a part of this country. That is what this country is all about,” Boersma said.
Boersma also said this is a big issue and is hard to discuss. She said the permanent residence for illegal immigrants will be that best way to go for this country since they also contribute to its development.
“Without Latinos, who come and do hard work, this country wouldn’t be the same,” Boersma said.
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