I'm a Republican. I believe in Jesus, the second amendment (and the fourth, for that matter), and the right to do whatever you please in this free country provided it doesn't harm anyone else. That makes me a cold-blooded, heartless jerk that hates immigrants though, right? Wrong. That could not be further from the truth. You see, as an educated person that knows their history (unlike those that are tearing down Confederate statues and choosing to ignore history), I know that my beautiful, free country was founded upon the very premise that anyone who wanted to be an American could be, provided they vowed to be the best, most patriotic American they can be.

As many of you know, President Trump recently set plans in motion to appeal DACA. DACA, for those of you who aren't aware, is an act put in place by former President Obama that essentially granted naturalization to children born to immigrant parents. President Trump is essentially trying to deport these individuals back to their would-be birthplace. There are many reasons, outside of the simply humane ones as to why I don't support this repeal, even as a bleeding red Republican. These reasons are both fiscal, and practical.

Deporting people is expensive. Seriously, there is an estimated 16.8 million naturalized citizens in the United States as of 2009. That's according to the most recent statistics. It's estimated to cost around $12,500 per person to legally deport someone. That's about $210 billion to deport every naturalized U.S. citizen covered under DACA. I'm sorry, but the last time I checked, the U.S. is a bit of a pickle financially. We can't afford to deport any more people than we're already deporting. I'm all for 'draining the swamp.' I'm more than supportive of deporting those that are a danger to society. I'm not talking about the man across the street that sells marijuana. I'm talking about the people that traffic drugs in and out of borders, or the people that are illegally selling and trading firearms. I'm not talking about the peaceful man that works in construction, I'm talking about the man that walks around with a concealed knife, waiting to prey on a woman walking alone at night. I am not talking about the people that will be an asset to society as U.S. Citizens, I'm talking about the people that endanger the good people of this country.

You will never meet someone who works as hard as someone who has had nothing. I'm fully aware of the stereotype that there are people in this country that mooch off of the government. They exist, I know they do. I know this because I've seen it with my own eyes, in my own neighborhood. By deporting naturalized citizens that were protected under DACA, we're setting a precedent within our own country. We're setting the precedent that no matter your circumstances of birth, you will still get the short end of the stick. This goes against the American Dream in every way, shape, and form. I am a direct product of the American Dream myself. I am the daughter of a hard-working man and woman that I'm fortunate enough to call my parents, and they've shown me that anything is possible with the right focus and frame of mind.

Instead of deporting people who are naturalized citizens, let's find solutions to our country's immigration process. Let's provide people that have immigrated the tools to get off of government assistance and into a fair job. Let's allow ourselves to learn something from the hearts of those that have immigrated here. Many, many immigrants see the United States as a form of a utopia- and it is. Compared to many of the countries that these people have immigrated from, the United States is the best place on earth. It's full of rich opportunity and a wealth of knowledge from some of the greatest minds on earth. Let's start living up to the image that other countries know.