Speaks Out

The crosses outside of Kerckhoff Hall represent the 600
immigrants who died in the last two years trying to cross the
border between the U.S. and Mexico. How do you feel about illegal
immigration? Adam Kent Senior Santa
Barbara High School "The fact that 600 people died trying to cross
the border indicates that there are problems. I don’t think that
our government is dealing with it the right way. It seems like
people are afraid of people unlike themselves and having to pay
benefits for people who can’t afford it. I don’t think that’s fair.
We should spread the wealth." Karla Shultz

First-year

Psychobiology "I fully support the immigrants and I think they
should receive all the rights that legal residents in the United
States have. I don’t think that there should be any type of
legislation to keep them out; they’re just coming here looking for
a better life." Megha Agarwal Third-year Political
science "It’s not fair. While the rest of us go through the laws
and pay the money, these illegal immigrants just come over. I
understand the conditions of their country are not the greatest,
but you have to come here properly. It would be bad if everybody
just started coming here. I think they should just stay and wait."
Fil An Fourth-year Microbiology, immunology, and
molecular genetics "I believe immigration should definitely be
controlled. It is the land of freedom, but I guess I’m kind of
conservative about issues like this. Let’s say immigrants run
across the border or swim; they have at least a decent chance of
making it. On the other hand, Oriental immigrants have to take a
boat here and have less chances of getting here. If you want to
make it fair, you have to let everyone in. There has to be
control." German Gurrola Second-year Anthropology
"It’s ironic a state like California, whose economy is so heavily
based on undocumented immigrant workers, feels the need to
militarize the border and pass propositions that discriminate
against those people. I think this has a lot to do with racism,
which makes it easy to regard a certain section of the population
as not having any rights. How can a human being be illegal?"
Kimberly Barraza Graduate student Education "The
thing that needs to be thought about the most with illegal
immigration is why the people that are coming here feel the need to
do so. When they get here, they are willing to put up with the
hardship because it is still better than where they came from. Why
is it that one would be willing to put up with that and risk their
lives? This needs to be thought of before we start making policy."
Speaks Out compiled by Jonah Lalas, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.
Photos by Cathy Jun and Christine Bolghand, Daily Bruin Staff.