Migrant workers are illegal citizens of the United States

Dear Uproarious Wesleyan Protestors,

Migrant workers are not undocumented citizens whose existence can be criminalized. They are, by definition, illegal. Unless possessing work visas, student visas or a naturalized citizenship (that is, documentation), they are already “criminalized.” Migrant workers? Yes. Undocumented residents? Sure. But framing your argument around the false assertion that somehow these workers are legal citizens of the United States is both misleading and injurious to your cause. I will admit that the current U.S. policy regarding illegal immigrants needs reform and that it is not only migrants who are breaking the law (by hiring illegal residents, firms reap the benefit of not only paying below the minimum wage, but also of avoiding those pesky taxes), but the use of the word citizen denotes specific legal rights recognized by the United States Government, rights currently not afforded to those who illegally enter our country. Please, be honest with both the Wesleyan student body and yourselves.