The chairs were aligned in a tight knit circle all facing one another. Every seat was filled by a curious and intrigued individual. All sat in silence, waiting for these two ‘outsiders’ to speak and share their stories. The anticipation grew. Finally, a young woman welcomed everyone. A grad student at the University of Denver, she began to introduce the controversial topic at hand. “Immigration in a new light,” was to provide others with the knowledge of immigration past what we hear beyond the news. She presents two individuals in order to show the audience the true stories of immigration. Without hesitation, she states that immigrants should be treated better in our society and be given a rightful opportunity in this country.
First, the woman presents Richard Froude. As soon as he opens his mouth, the entire audience’s ears open wider, giving their full attention to this scruffy looking man. His strong English accent automatically categorizes him as someone different, as an outsider to American society. With his arms crossed and a coffee in his hand, he begins saying “I have had a great deal of privilege as an immigrant in America.” The look on people’s faces clearly illustrates that it is odd to think of a white English speaking man as an immigrant. Froude continues to explain even though he came from a similar culture with the same language; as soon as he speaks people begin to judge him. Barley glancing up from his paper of typed notes, Richard Froude gives a brief summary of his life in America. He explains the difficulties of maintaining multiple visas and the anxiety from jumping from job to job. According to Froude, Americans do not understand the complex cycle one must endure to apply for a green card. While Froude believes he was very lucky with the opportunities he had in America, he still does not understand why such a wealthy country treats immigrants so poorly. While Froude clearly explained the difficulties living as an immigrant, the other speaker argued his point much better.
“Buenos tardes,” began Dr. Miguel De La Torre in a cheerful voice. A Professor of Social Ethics, Miguel moved to the United States from Cuba. On April 3, 1961 he was told he had 30 days to leave the country. According to the INS code, he had overstayed his tourist visa and was an undocumented immigrant. “You all probably believe I came to America looking for freedom,” he says to young eyes all set on him. He refutes his statement stating everyone is naive and wrong for thinking so. Miguel De La Torre came to America because of the United States foreign policies in Latin America. He continues to expand on his historical evidence about the country of Cuba and its recent laws. His use of hard evidence convinces his audience that he knows what he is talking about.
Unlike Richard Froude, Miguel De La Torre’s use of pathos captures his audience. He sat forward, with his elbows on his knees, engaging with each individual. Every person felt as though his story was meant for them. Starting off as energetic, his voice soon become more serious. Miguel began to talk about the issue of the border patrol. Immigrants come into this country with the intent of escaping theirs or looking for a new opportunity in ours. The people working the border patrol stated that “brown people will die crossing the border, but it will deter others from crossing later on.” This statement is brutal in the fact that they do not care if immigrants suffer and die in the process of crossing over a single border. The dead and rotten corpses will show the others that their plan of escaping did not work, and that others should not try. Miguel De La Torre emphasizes this point by taking out a wallet size picture of a child; a 14 year old girl. The young Mexican girl was an example of one to show others the consequences of her actions. She tried crossing the border, sprained her ankle, and her corpse was later found by the border patrol half eaten by coyotes. Eyes opened wide and jaws dropped. The thought of a young child dying with no purpose at all stirred the emotions in the room. He passes the photograph around the room. Actually holding the small picture of a young girl smiling before her death is absolutely heart breaking and makes one see firsthand the reality of this situation. Miguel removes his glasses and leans forward; “there is something morally wrong when a 14 year old girl dies in the richest country.”
A young student girl raises her hand; “How do we resolve this issue then?” He replies, “I have absolutely no idea.” It has taken over 100 years to make a mess out of immigration, and it will take longer to resolve. Miguel begins, “I don’t know what to think about immigration, but it is unacceptable how are dealing with it.” This single sentence sums up his entire view on the issue of immigration. He believes that no matter race, gender, or ethnicity, we should be humane to each other. Not supplying immigrants with medications in detention centers is inhumane. Deporting women and kids with no access to resources is inhumane. Making women take birth control because they will probably be raped is even more inhumane. All of these issues need to be solved in order for immigration to go anywhere.
Proven both by Richard Froude and Miguel De La Torre, immigration is a topic that is judged intently by Americans. As Americans, we view immigrants as having lower status than us and as different people overall. We do not look at their reasons behind their choice to move to the United States. Froude and Torre successfully illustrate the struggles immigrants have to overcome just to live in America. They both agree that “the richest country in the world” should be more understanding about their situations. Overall, it is argued that people should be treated with respect, no matter where they come from. With the standing ovation at the end, it shows that the people only agree.
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