I've heard it so many times the "I'm not against immigration as long as it's legal" line and as time passes, I've come to understand that it's quite like the "I'm not racist, I have black/white/Latino friends" line: besides being defensive and utterly telling about one's secret feelings, it doesn't justify a damned thing!

Many an anti has argued that tougher laws, long prison terms and mass deportations can deter the

undocumented workers who are already here from staying and more from coming into "his country" to "take his jobs" and "live off of his tax dollars".

But please understand that there are no though enough laws, no high enough walls or fences that can discourage desperate men and women from coming and finding safe heavens for themselves and their families here. They want the same thing generation upon generation of immigrants before them came to America for: a better life.

As hard as it might be, I wish each anti who spews hate on us for being here illegally would take a minute from all of the hate and fear mongering to walk a mile In our shoes. I wish, they knew what it feels like for a parent to know that the country you love and know has nothing to give to your children, just like it had nothing to give to you. Had anyone else on this planet been in our places, in our parents places, they would have made the same choices we have. They too would have crossed or overstayed; quietly living in the shadows, working back-breaking, low wage jobs, all the while, deep down, keeping hope that the country they have grown to love will be kinder to their children than it had been to them. All the while dreaming for them, the dreams they once had for themselves. Except that this time around, there is hope!