CALIFORNIA DREAMING

Immigrants and aliens
Benito ‘Jong’ Molintas Jr.

SAN FRANCISCO, US -- “Give justice to us who are sweating for you. We are also Americans.” This was printed on a cardboard as Mexicans walked down the streets of Los Angeles, California on May 21. The Mexicans were fighting for their immigration rights.

Mexicans among other nationalities were shouting for justice as Americans with equal rights. A similar activity was held a year ago in Wilshire Boulevard, CA, wherein thousands of people also participated in the undertaking.

Last year, there were no riots, no overreaction and it was really a very peaceful rally with the same immigration issues. The rally this year and the condition they faced was different as there was provocation on the part of the police who acted as if they were girding for war as they watched them with eagle eyes. It is the same with police in our country. There are policemen who fire bullets in rallies they barge into in full battle gear.

Overbearing police was actually the gist of present headlines in all newspapers near the borders of Arizona, California, Texas among others. Unlike in Northwest America which is close to Canada, police brutality and immigration laws are not much of a problem because they have a different outlooks and standards.

On the side of the immigrants some of whom are working here illegally, it is really true that they tried their best to enter this country with all their efforts through a tunnel and in many ways to work. What they are griping about is the low and double-standard rates.

Yes it is true that they are working illegally, but they are helping much the US economy. Not many “native” Americans can stay under the noon-day scorching sun and risk their health to pick vegetables, flowers, and agricultural products. It is only Mexicans, Filipinos, and other hardworking nationalities who can do it.

We are in that hardworking bracket. I have a Filipino friend who stays across the street where I live. He resigned as a navy officer. A lieutenant, he came here as a tourist and worked as a carpenter. He is just like one of those Mexicans craving to have the same papers at par with others.

With his strong determination, he married a 56-year-old, even if he is 28. “Jong, magaasawa ako punta me Las Vegas” he said. “True ba yan?” was my response. “Sa papel lang yun,”he said laughing at the top of his voice. This just shows how smart or rather street-wise Filipinos are in other countries. They try their best to survive. In a way, I appreciated him. But a lot are in trouble.

I have another friend who had been living here for 35 years, but he is still working. I hope that someday these guys they will find satisfaction in their lives. Maybe they are at one with my tenet, “Behind the clouds, the sun is still shining.”

We can actually picture what these people are -- trying their best to be legal in many ways, but it was really a terrible scene that May 21 – their “rights” being violated. I really pity these guys. I can feel what they are feeling that moment because I tried marching on the streets clamoring for certain issues. It is one way of releasing tension though.

In this case, I am just praying and hope the people involved will soon be given justice. Apparently their efforts are exhibited in the open; how hard working they are. Anyway, various programs and bills are being passed in the Senate and hopefully they may have a chance to become full-fledged citizens or at least given legal permits. I hope that no immigrant would experience again human rights violations in US.