Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, has announced that she plans to take President Barack Obama’s executive immigration policy, if elected, a step further. Clinton’s objective is to create a pathway to citizenship for eleven million undocumented immigrants. Even though Clinton will face opposition from those that consider the action undemocratic, she is ready to fight.
During a campaign stop in Nevada, Clinton stated, “If Congress continues to refuse to act, as president I will do everything possible under the law to go even further.”
According to U.S. News, AHS consists of a student body of more than 2,000 with a minority rate of 76 percent. Diversity is very much existent and conveyed throughout our hallways. Students come from more than 92 countries speaking more than 45 languages. Clinton’s plan of action would not only increase culture throughout our school, but help families that have suffered and struggled in their countries.
“It’s especially important as a student here at AHS, especially if you’re a junior or senior, because you can’t get financial aid,” senior Kevin Arevalo said, “This would open up a lot of opportunities.”
While more than half of undocumented immigrants come from spanish speaking countries, hundreds of thousands of them come from countries such as the Philippines, Korea, China, and India.
“If we’re one of the most diverse high schools in the county, I feel like [Clinton’s plan] will be great for our school,” junior Autumn Yang said, “If other schools become diverse, it would be amazing.”
AHS students and staff can deeply sympathize with issues that undocumented immigrants face in the United States, such as being exposed to corrupted jobs and living in fear of deportation.
“Kids may have been born here legally and their parents may have come here illegally, so they’re faced with having to be separated,” history teacher Kathlyn Berry said, “It’s a terrible thing. Just here in our own school we have kids that are born citizens, but their parents may have come illegally. It’s a situation that has to be addressed. I don’t know how, but we have to fix it.”
According to U.S. News, 46 percent of the AHS student body consists of individuals that are economically deprived and eligible for free or reduced lunch. Clinton’s plan of action could be just what those families, who are living in the United States undocumented, might need to qualify for higher paying jobs, receive an excellent education and remove themselves from unfair societal conformity.
“I think it’s a great thing for the United States and the Annandale community in general because I feel like there are a lot of people here that are affected by this,” Arevalo said, “I think it’s great that Clinton’s expanding a system that helped solve those problems.”
Many students know someone that are or come from immigrant parents, so Atoms support what’s best for their community and the people they care about.
“Growing up in Annandale, I have a lot of friends who come from immigrant parents,” sophomore Jeremiah Bethea said, “NOVA is a large area that it is very diverse, which creates comfortable living environment for immigrants who choose to settle here.”