The Monroe Street Journal

Issue date: 3/18/08 Section: Inside Ross

Immigration has turned out to be a key issue in the presidential elections, but many of us do not fully understand how illegal immigration affects us. We hear about it in various forms of mass media and some of us may even have an opinion on it, but have we ever wondered what it means to be an illegal immigrant? The media often portray the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in this country as aggressive and violent people who steal our jobs, drive down wages, and commit all sorts of crimes. But there are also stories of genuine and hard working people, who are sick and tired of the inequality that exists in their native countries, and are willing to do what it takes for a piece of the pie. What exactly is the truth and what should we really believe?

One of the reasons why the University of Michigan holds a special place among the academic institutions of this country is that it has always been beacon for diversity, and the 'BE ILLEGAL' exhibition demonstrates this mentality. The 'BE ILLEGAL' exhibition is a multimedia gallery that presents the authentic voices of illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States. This is an eye opener, as it provides a great opportunity to understand the perspectives of these illegal immigrants, through interviews and stories that allow us learn about the social and legal issues responsible for illegal immigration. The interviewees have different opinions to share and come from a variety of countries including Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, Laos, and Albania. The interviews covered a wide range of people, from those who have been here for just two weeks to those who have spent more than 25 years in the States. The exhibition will be held in the East Room at Pierpont Commons in North Campus on March 24 and 25 from 10:00AM - 6:00PM.

The gallery will be split into three parts showcasing three segments of illegal immigrants: those who recently immigrated voluntarily, those who immigrated years ago voluntarily, and those who were brought to the US at a young age by their parents. Each of these parts includes audio clips and visuals outlining how and why they came to the US, their current situation and their thoughts on the same, and what their plans were for the future. In the collection of audio clips, these immigrants will be discussing their life stories and their views on discrimination and immigration issues.

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