One thing that Americans have always seen on the news whether it was on the newspaper, flipping through the channels on the television, or through social media like Facebook or Twitter is Latino immigration, a hot topic throughout America till today. Latino immigration has been going on in America for years, but has now been shed more light through President Trump’s outrageous tweets on twitter and as the migrant caravans make their way to America through Central America and Mexico seeking asylum. Many have had their own viewpoints and opinions on Latino Immigration not just including our President and numerous have had heated debates on how to deal with Latino immigration. What’s the right course of action?

     In 2013, a PBS documentary aired on September 30th called Immigration and Education that brought advocates of the Latino Community together to share their opinions, and make substantial arguments and viewpoints that we should consider when it comes to Latino immigration in the United States of America. The short six-minute documentary mainly targeted the Latino community, but it can target Americans and other types of immigrants as well.

     The purpose of the visual text was to show the vital role that Latinos play in America and to make sure that the Latino Youth are well educated so that they are able to achieve their goals in the future. As one documentarian stated in the video, “We will lose … the Hispanic Moment” if we don’t capitalize on this opportunity to educate Latinos. Educated Latinos are more likely to achieve their goals and America should capitalize on its Latino population by educating their assets. It is evident from the video that Latinos are a vital part to America as they make up about one-sixth of the US population. Similarly, it should be evident that America should prioritize educating Latinos as they are a major portion of the population. Immigration and Education demonstrated the importance of education by showing the achievements of Latino Americans in America society. The documentary displayed the positive effects of education by speaking about Antonio Villaraigosa, a Latino who became the first Mexican Mayor in Los Angeles in 2005. In the same way the documentary referred to Marco Rubio, a second-generation Cuban American who was elected US Senator from Florida in 2010. Finally, to top it off they showed Sonia Sotomayor, a Puerto Rican, being sworn into the Supreme Court becoming the first Latina Justice of the Supreme Court. The documentary showcased these high achieving role models in the Latino community to show viewers what Latinos are made of, what Latinos are capable, and what Latinos can do through the power of education.

     Immigration and Education also discussed ways on how to deal with immigration. Many undocumented immigrants aren’t all one in the same. Differentiating between immigrants should be a key component on how to handle immigration. Sure, some Latinos have broken laws and committed crimes but the ones who didn’t commit crimes have built lives here in America pursuing the American dream to improve their lives and give the best to their children. Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, one of the speakers from the documentary and who is shown in Figure 2 recieving a medal from Barack Obama, came to America at the age of fifteen as an immigrant from Cuba. In the documentary, Padrón said “The only thing that got me out of poverty was education” and he was right. By coming to America he he was able to go to school, go to college, and earned a PHD in Economics. He is now the President of Miami Dade College and he continues to help Latinos with similar stories. Wouldn’t America want more Latinos like Dr. Padrón? There are some Latinos that actually have good records and they do pay their taxes. So, why aren’t those the people we want to involve in our America? Differentiating between immigrants is key. 

Figure 1: Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón recieving a medal from Barack Obama.

     In my overall opinion, I am against splitting up families and tearing apart dreams like those that do come true as it was shown through Latinos like Sonia Sotomayor, Marco Rubio, Antonio Villaraigosa, Dr. Padrón and many others. I honestly think that the best way to deal with immigration is to grant amnesty to those who have children here that are US Citizens, to those who participate in the economy, and to those who have proof of living here for a substantial amount of their lives. The United States was built on immigrants and it is definitely part of the reason why America is a melting pot of cultures from around the world. As I walk through and around my campus of City College not only do I see Dominican food, Chinese food, and Mexican food spots on the outskirts, I also see Halal food carts on the street corners lined up with customers from all types of races waiting to tastes part of the melting pot that creates America today. Although this may be a documentary focusing on Latino Americans, any viewer who sees this will be motivated to invest there time in education and will also be invoked into thinking about immigration in America.

     Immigration and Education was a short six-minute video with much to say. The documentary effectively showed the essential role that Latinos play in America and how beneficial education is for the Latino Youth. The media has shown Americans a lot about Latino Immigration over the years and Americans have also seen the results, when “Latino” meets education. In today’s world Latino celebrities, politicians, and advocates are paving a way for the Latino Youth to follow. An educated Latino population would make way for a promising future in America. Education will bring dreams that much closer to reality and education is crucial for the Latino Youth to come.