Photo by Clem Murray

Decades ago, near the end of the century, my parents left their home countries in Central America for the United States. They came in hopes of seeking a better life, better than the one they left behind. From hearing my father’s stories, you would realize that he spent most of his life in the U.S., working his way through for years. He worked night shifts, delivered office supplies, and paid his taxes - all while taking care of his two daughters. As of now, he's providing for a wife and five more children.

The United States is, without a doubt, a melting pot. From long-deceased Europeans to impoverished Hispanic families, immigrants have worked, contributed, and provided for their families in this country they wanted to join.

To deny the immigrants of today this opportunity would go against everything the US stood for.

In recent years, immigration has become a greater source of interest in Texas, with thousands of families being apprehended from crossing the border. It has reached a point where even Border Patrol is overwhelmed, too preoccupied with maintaining their duty instead of assisting immigrants with receiving asylum or refugee status.

However, even then, undocumented immigrants only receive the chance of citizenship under certain qualifications, as said by the American Immigration Council. Because the legal avenues of obtaining citizenship are subject to limitations and eligibility requirements, many undocumented immigrants “do not have the necessary family or employment relationships and often cannot access humanitarian protection, such as refugee or asylum status” (American Immigration Council). 

Even if immigrants were in a similar position as my father, who spent most of his life working in the US, their citizenship would not be a guarantee. Even my own mother - who also lived in the US for most of her life - is only now receiving the opportunity to take her citizenship test. 

The road to citizenship has become a lengthy, complicated process. It would be in the state of Texas’ best interest - and that of this country - to consider funding programs that could assist immigrants with their process of entering the US and receiving their citizenship.