The light at the end of the tunnel is closer then ever for the millions of Mexican illegal immigrants residing in the United States. Unfortunately, millions more from other countries share that same tunnel and are seeing that same light disappear. The legalization of only Mexican illegal immigrants, as currently discussed, can definitely eradicate the hopes of other immigrants to obtain the same treatment, since it would be harder to re-generate political support (Democrats: fear of appearing over-demanding; Republicans: can not afford to further antagonize its conservative base) for a similar program in the near future. If the proposed legalization program is adopted, it should aim at aiding all immigrants regardless of nationality.
The legalization of only Mexican immigrants can create deep resentment from other Latin American communities that share the same discrimination, abuse and exploitation as their Mexican counterparts. Currently, beyond nationalistic pride, there is some friction between the Mexican community and other Latino groups based on evident differences in economic and social status. In general, more recent immigrant populations, predominately from Central America, experience lower economic and social conditions. The current initiative, if passed only for Mexican immigrants, can lock other Latino immigrant communities into poverty and distress since legalization can be the key to the American Dream by opening economic, educational and political opportunities.
As a Guatemalan immigrant, this is not an issue of jealousy or envy, but an issue of fairness. Although the Mexican community is the largest among Latinos, the reality is that the Central and South American community experienced the highest rate of growth in census 2000. The Central and South American community reported a 96.9% growth rate since 1990 while the Mexican community experienced a 52.9% growth during the same period of time. Driven by illegal immigration, these impressive growth rates reflect the increased presence and significance of the Central and South American illegal community and the equal importance they represent to the US culture and economy. So if this policy or initiative were based solely on numbers, it would provide relief to all illegal immigrants from Latin America.
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