Immigrant – what does it mean?

In 2014, Latinos became the largest population group in California. With this column, The Sun continues to provide readers a variety of perspectives from members of this ‘new majority.’

Dear Readers of this immigrant’s column, I want to polish up this very label, which seems to many unfair, to others not so much. But as my Anglo brothers say, “anyway.”

Immigrant — a term so overused, it’s on practically everyone’s lips. What I mean is how it is a major topic for candidates for the presidency and for other social/political positions.

But getting down to it, what does this bunch of letters “immigrant” mean? Hasn’t it really meant, for some time now, “Mexican”? “Central-American”? or “Latino” in general? Should we feel flattered by this designation? Or the way it is applied to all native Spanish speakers? I’m going to leave this up to you, to individual opinion, as we are told in the Scriptures, to your “free will.”

Myself, I am someone with a desire to raise our identity to the highest level, always with the aim of solidly contributing to this society. It does, however, need to be noted, none of us left behind home, family, customs and traditions in exchange for something the same or worse.

Okay, so in our countries of origin we don’t have the same opportunities – in education, jobs, political policy– or any of infinite number of advantages that only first world countries can offer. But offer to whom?

I don’t have enough ink to answer. To those who want to explore new horizons and conquer the promised land using everything it has to offer: its language, its customs, its civic responsibilities, its political policies, to mention only a few. If we get right down to it, Moses himself was maybe the most famous immigrant, leading the people of Israel. But in his case, like every other person who has left one corner of the globe to go a “better world,” we get criminalized.

So who does this? Only someone who doesn’t feel capable of taking on the struggle for a better life in his homeland, only someone who hasn’t tempted fate crossing a policed border, only someone who lives a life of comfort and doesn’t have to do hard physical work to get to be someone in life.

And it’s their right. There are a lot of us immigrants, what is it that we come for? First off, with our arrival blessed by God; with study; with arduous work; with trying to become part of this exacting society; with paying our taxes on time; with being quality stuff of humanity, not a burden.   My brothers, this is – or it should be – everything that is wrapped up and conveyed by the term “immigrant.”

Whoever doesn’t have this dream or aim in his (immigrant) life, then yes, that person represents another mouth to feed, another criminal to watch out for, another idle person you don’t expect anything from. Unfortunately, those are the ones that get the attention. But since in the vineyard of the Lord there’s a bit of everything, well, brother, what kind of immigrant do we want to be?

My Anglo brother, you who have constant contact with people in this situation, just lean this way a bit. Observe them, study them, and form your own opinion about us immigrants. Then you will be my perfect audience for this and future essays.

Alejandro “Alex” Águilar recently earned his GED through Santa Rosa Junior College, and tutors math for adults at the Family Resource Center of El Verano School.