Is the Risk of Immigration an American Idea?

Laura Gomez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who is six months pregnant, is currently in Scottsdale, Ariz. She said she had come to the United States mainly to find work (Lacey 1).

Laura Gomez, an illegal immigrant from mexico made the journey across the desert carrying a baby, and a pair of scissors, in case she gave birth on the trek. This case is seen as an extraordinary one, as mothers often come to America, and then become pregnant, not come over whilst pregnant. The case reinvigorated the "anchor baby" argument, which is the argument over whether or not the children of illegal immigrants should be U.S. Citizens. The fact that currently, these children are U.S. Citizens is "rooted in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution," (Lacey 1).

Many hospitals near the Mexico/U.S. border report that many immigrants arrive in order to "take advantage of better medical care," (Lacey 1). In addition, many are lured into america because of a sign near the border in Mexico that says, "Do you want to have your baby in the U.S.?" It is not common however for women such as Gomez to take the risk of coming to America Pregnant.

These "anchor babes" cannot prevent the deportation of their parents, until they turn 21, at which point they might be able to "sponsor their parents for legal immigration status," (Lacey 1). Even with American-born children, the parents run the risk of deportation, and the further risk of having to leave their children in America if they get deported.

Duncan Hunter, a Republican pushing congress to remove to change the birthright laws, said "[A]nd we're not being mean. We're just saying it takes more than walking across the border to become an American citizen. It's what's in our souls." Gretchen Adamek, a NY Times reader responded to this specific quote, questioning what is in the American Soul. She argues, "that risking one's life in the hopes of making a better life for oneself and one's child in a new and unwelcoming country is the very definition of what is in the American Soul. Precisely what does Mr. Hunter think the Pilgrims were?" (Adamek).

Do you agree with Ms. Adamek that these risks are a fundamental part of the American soul? If so, why? If not, what are the fundamental parts of the American soul, regarding immigration?

Original Article-

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/us/politics/05babies.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&sq=on%20immigration,%20birthright%20fight%20in%20u.s.%20is%20looming&st=cse&scp=1

Gretchen Adamek's Response-

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/opinion/l12immig.html?ref=immigrationandemigration