Immigrant Experiences vs. Trumped Up Perceptions

Interacting with immigrants who have enrolled in classes to learn English has led to positive experiences. These immigrants are certainly in contrast to the trumped up vicious statements that are constantly tweeted out against them to rile up the anger of supporters who selfishly do not believe that Blacks, Latinos, and other minority immigrants should be welcomed into the United States as their own White immigrant ancestors. The English as a Second Language classes taught over the past 15 years have been attended by legal immigrants and sometimes those who have set foot on U.S. soil as refugees or otherwise. Contrary to the statement which gives an impression that only the uneducated and criminals travel the arduous journey through the isolated routes along the borders of Texas, Arizona, and California,  a number of students have shared with the class their experiences of taking the unforgettable chance of traveling the dangerous journey to cross the U.S. borders. In-class discussions bring awareness that border crossers are not only the stereotyped natives from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, but some people have traveled from other Central and South American countries and the Caribbean. Some enter the country as professionals with careers in their countries as  medical doctors, nurses, attorneys, physicists, professors, managers, and many other highly regarded professions that a number of Americans who criticize immigrants could not possibly attain. They must put aside these qualifications that are not recognized in the U.S. and start from scratch by learning English. They are smart and a number of them from Haiti speak not only Haitian Creole and French but are fluent in Spanish and are quick in their abilities to learn English.  They arrive for classes by 8:00 AM after working the evening shift and getting off at 12:00 AM or even later from jobs that Americans never consider suitable for themselves but often complain that immigrants are taking their jobs. So, some arrive home during the wee hours of the morning but still get to school on time. Most immigrants must take whatever job is offered to them so that they may survive and help their families. The tiredness in their eyes in the classroom is evident, but they remain eager and willing to learn English. It is not only important to teach them how to speak, write, read, and develop listening skills in English, but topics are often introduced to make them able to adapt to the difficulties that lie ahead of them in the U.S.  Topics include the importance of building good credit, developing job skills, budgeting, etc. But class discussions also include racial profiling cases, the criminal justice system's inconsistencies for people of color,  the First Amendment, and other social issues that will impact their lives one way or another. Many continue their education aspirations by transitioning to  community colleges and then universities. Their hard work often passes down to their children who excel in school as a result of the values instilled in them by their parents who serves as their role models. These hard-working immigrants are known and respected.