Around 22 years ago, my family made the treacherous journey from Nicaragua to this country. My mom, pregnant with me, wanted to take us to the land of opportunity. The United States is a country founded by immigrants for immigrants. More importantly, a safe haven for refugees.

A young boy spoke about fleeing his home in Honduras after a gang killed his father and cousin and threatening his life as well. This young boy was 17 at the time of his crossing the border. However, being written off as an immigrant, this anonymous young man is at great risk of being deported. When has being put in the status of immigrant equivalent to a strong indication of deportation?

This country is taking an unfortunate turn toward isolation. We know how well isolation worked during the Second World War. Millions of innocent lives were lost because this country closed itself off from the world and once again we're soaking the innocents of this world towards neglect.

Over 30,000 refugee children in the last year have crossed into the States to escape the terrorism of gangs in their homelands'. A boy who crossed a river for salvation. This discussion takes a wrong turn into whether or not we need more security. What should be discussed is, both our poor immigration system and our poor view of immigrants in our country.

It's important to understand the impact that our land holds to the oppressed across the world. Let us all realize that we represent hope for the world and we should greet those who seek opportunity here with open arms.

So are they immigrant or refugees? Should there be such a vast difference? Or we should revise our thinking of immigrants altogether? I believe that immigration is always good for this country. Every time there is a flux of immigration, positive growth has been seen in this county in an innovative sense; basically, high-skilled immigration promotes innovation. (Hanson, 2012)