My parents grew up in a poor neighborhood, did not finish high school, and did not go to college. They gave up their lives, and when I mean lives, I mean their thoughts of having their own future. All their hard work was for their children to have a chance at a better future.
My mother was nine months old when she was given to a family to cross the border, while my grandparents left on foot and met with my mother on the other side. My mother worked hard to make sure my brother and sister, and I had everything we needed, like a backpack for school. A backpack in my family is a privilege because she grew up with a plastic bag as her backpack.
If there were not so many restrictions on the borders between the US and our neighboring countries, we could open the door for so many people to have a better life without sacrificing their own lives. Expanding immigration benefits the economy by giving immigrants a chance to contribute to innovation and dynamism. Immigrants compete with others that were born here, and everyone can bring new ideas and skills and broaden the talent pool for employers. America was and still is a melting pot. It is time to welcome people into this country.