Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution Read Online Free PDF Page B

who came legally to the United States face much more uncertain and cumbersome procedures. “Legal immigrants are sometimes forgotten,” Faithful observes. She appreciated Mitt Romney’s comment during the presidential debates that you shouldn’t need a lawyer if you want to come to America.
    Faithful Okoye is a good example of why we should not arbitrarily limit the number of foreign students studying in the United States. Despite some frustrating experiences, Faithful has enormous admiration for America. “I would definitely say there is an American Dream,” she says. “What I love about America is I believe there is equal opportunity for everyone. People can be of any part of life and make it.” Faithful thinks the experience of foreign students increases their respect and appreciation for the United States.
    Regardless of whether Faithful resolves to become an Americancitizen or return to Nigeria, her opportunity to learn in America will make the world a better place.
FROM VICTIM TO ADVOCATE
    If anyone would have cause to feel antipathy toward illegal immigrants, it would be Julie Erfle, whose husband was killed by a criminal living illegally in the United States. But instead Julie exemplifies the sensitivity and compassion that are critical to resolving the immigration debate. 10
    Julie and Nick grew up in the same small town in North Dakota, attending school and church together. They started dating in high school and were married during college. Although Nick had a rebellious streak, he decided he wanted to become a police officer. “It was a bit of a shock to me,” recounts Julie. After earning a two-year degree, Nick applied to the Phoenix Police Department and was accepted. Despite having almost no money, they moved to Phoenix in the summer of 1998, where Nick went through the police academy and Julie obtained a position at a local television station.
    Nick always worked street patrol, usually volunteering forthe late-night third shift. “He loved it,” Julie recalls, “because that’s when everything happened.” Nick worked a community beat and made a large number of felony arrests.
    The couple had their first child in 2001. Three years later, Nick was diagnosed with early-stage testicular cancer. He had surgery and only lost three weeks of work.
    A year later, the cancer returned. It was stage 3 and had spread to his lungs and abdomen. Following chemotherapy, the cancer was determined to be in remission. Nick couldn’t return to his beat but worked desk duties.
    But again the tumor returned. This time Nick had major surgery, followed by a long and painful recovery. The surgery had damaged his intestines and he suffered a massive infection, causing him to lose sixty-five pounds. His health kept getting worse and he nearly died. Finally in September 2006, Nick returned for additional surgery, which successfully dealt with his remaining health issues.
    Within a month he was back at work, and on Thanksgiving he returned to patrol duties. He sent an email to his family reporting, “The streets of Phoenix have been waiting for me, I made three arrests on my first day back.” By then he and Julie had two children, ages two and five, and they were grateful to have theirdad back. “That last year of his life was a gift that almost wasn’t,” Julie remembers.
    Less than a year after his return to the streets, Nick had just switched squads and was reunited with a former partner. On the night of September 18, 2007, they had just booked a suspect and were back on patrol. They saw a young man and two women jaywalking recklessly across the street. The man bore gang insignia.
    Nick and his partner stopped the three people. While Nick questioned the women, his partner questioned the man, who gave him a fictitious name that, ironically, had an outstanding warrant attached to it. While Nick radioed in the information, his partner tried to arrest the male suspect, who pushed him to the ground. Nick went to his