I refuse to let Trump take away my rights

As a Mexican-American and an activist for social equity and equality, I paid close attention to what the Republican candidates had to say regarding the undocumented community and their immigration plans. Coming from a mostly undocumented community I am aware that most of them speak little English and are not so aware about what’s happening in politics and the issue affecting them. The reason most are not so informed is not because they choose to ignore or overlook but because they are constantly working jobs of long hours. Therefore knowing that most of this community is defenseless when it comes to Republican politicians attacking and criticizing them I am outraged and defendant to the remarks that these candidates debate with so much strong aversion and offensive denigrating ethnic slurs like, “anchor babies.”

The author at the White House. Photo courtesy of Miriam Antonio.

In the most recent debate the immigration issue was again accompanied with the offensive ethnic slur of “anchor babies.” This pejorative term refers to U.S. citizens who were born in the U.S. but have immigrant parents. This derogative term not only offends me but it also offends a huge majority of the people I know. Not only do I disagree with Trump and the GOP’s usage of the term “anchor babies,” but I also disagree with Trump’s unreasonable and unconstitutional plan to revoke the citizenship of all the Unites States citizens who were born to undocumented parents.

The 14^th amendment could not be any more clear when it says “all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Our country was founded on immigrants coming to this country. Their children became first generation United States citizens. This has been happening for many years. Our diversity of different ethnic backgrounds and cultures is what has made this country special. As a first generation Mexican-American born in the United States I have rights. This is my country and I’m entitled to all the rights as any other United States citizen. Trump wants to try to take away my unalienable rights. Who does he think he is? He might be a billionaire but that doesn’t give him the right to decide my life. I have been a patriotic citizen to this country ever since I can remember and now he wants to send me back to Mexico? A country I have no legal association with? Trump needs to learn to follow the constitution before even thinking of becoming president, if he cannot do that then he simply is not fit to become president of this country.

I wish Donald Trump could see that there all lot of what he calls “anchor babies” who are contributing to making this a better country. There are plenty of first-generation U.S. citizens who are professionals like doctors, policemen, politicians, and teachers. I, for instance, have been studying hard to get the best grades in school and have found ways to be involved in my community to make it better. I want to go to a good university. I plan to get involved in politics and represent the minorities who continue to get overlooked and denigrated. I actually want to see this country progress but we can do that when we all come together regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or political affiliations. Trump need to realize his ideas and perceptions are not the center of the world.