“Undocumented” might be the most politically charged word in the English language today. It can generate emotions that range from sympathy to anger, from understanding to resentment.
It is also the title of a memoir by author Dan-el Padilla Peralta, who will speak April 5 at 1:30 p.m. in Neumann University’s Meagher Theatre about his experience as an undocumented immigrant in America. The presentation is free and open to the public.
Padilla was 4 years old when he arrived with his parents in New York City on travel visas. When the visas expired, his father returned to Santo Domingo but his mother stayed in New York, hoping to build a better life for her two sons.
[hotblock]
While Padilla was in elementary school, his family spent two years in homeless shelters. Thanks to a library and mentoring from a young shelter volunteer, his interest in learning blossomed until he was accepted with a full scholarship to an elite private school in Manhattan. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at Princeton, a master’s degree at Oxford and a Ph.D. at Stanford.
At the end of “Undocumented,” he writes, “As much as I love America, I’m angry with it, too. Every single day, the ambitions and aptitudes of the undocumented millions are trivialized and marginalized by an immigration policy lacking in rationality and justice.”
After his presentation, Padilla will take questions from the audience and sign copies of his book.
Having read Daniel el Padilla Peralta, comment I am left with the question. Did he or his Mother ever go through the immigration process to become naturalized American citizens?
Thanks to a library and mentoring from a young shelter volunteer, his interest in learning blossomed until he was accepted with a full scholarship to an elite private school in Manhattan. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at Princeton, a master’s degree at Oxford and a Ph.D. at Stanford. Wow!! none of my children as born in America naturalized citizens ever had those opportunities!.
He makes no mention whether or not he is now a naturalized citizen in the article.
“As much as I love America, I’m angry with it, too. Every single day, the ambitions and aptitudes of the undocumented millions are trivialized and marginalized by an immigration policy lacking in rationality and justice.”
Question? Is it irrational and unjust to require everyone who wants to immigrate into the United States of America to do so LEGALLY as all of our ancestors did? If you want to stay in America, go down to the immigration office and apply to become a naturalized citizen.
Is it that many of the undocumented have criminal backgrounds, and many have snuck into our country illegally?
I’m all for bringing legal (I.E) .LEGAL immigrants into this great country. but those who sneak in, make fools out of all those who have come in LEGALLY. If a U>S. citizen tried to sneak into Canada or Mexico would they be automatically be granted full citizenship in those country’s. Once you begin letting illegals in with no opposition, you open the flood gates for anyone to come in ILLEGALLIY.
Mr Peraltadid manage to become very well educated