Community Update

I want to thank everybody for stopping by to read this piece. Honestly, this is my first attempt at writing a blog or anything for public consumption. I am hopeful that the more I do this, my articles will get better and more enjoyable. I am taking on an issue that I have lived and known too well because I was an illegal immigrant in this community 6 years until 7 years ago when I got my residency papers.

I cannot help but be joyous for millions of undocumented immigrants who will be benefiting from the proposed immmigration reform billin the US senate. I am thrilled for them because not too long ago, I was an undocumented immigrant myself, surviving on menial jobs like some of my neighbors, congregants at my church and the random people who would stop me to ask a question at the Riverhead, Wal Mart or any store.

The immigration reform in the senate judicial committe if it will survive all the political road blocks, it will definitely face, will bring much needed relief to many immigrants especially in our community. But, I am going to be the first to rain on this reform's parade. The greencard is not an end, rather it is a means to an end. The real immigration reform is intrinsic. The real immigration reform lies in the willingness of our individual immigrants and immigrant communities to take their fate in their own hands and do those things like learn the English language and acquire new skills that will fulfill their American dream otherwise, the value of the green card the day after, will be the value of a piece of plastic. Simply, a credit card with zero balance.

So while this bill is in the oven, I implore my undocumented neighbors and friends to start dreaming of themselves in classrooms in American colleges, trade schools and libraries. Start planning schedule for work and training, start discussing your areas of career interest, make carpooling arrangements and save for your education because the real immigration reform is the reform you make for yourself on yourself in America. I got a career from my greencard by going to school. What will you do with your greencard or what will you help your neighbor do with his or hers?