American at heart

Commentary columns

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2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day

3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys

4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping

5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football

6. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen

7. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust

8. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible

9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli

10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area

Eli Salgado | Salgado, of Bassett, spoke this month at a Roanoke rally for comprehensive immigration reform.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Re: Jon Palmer’s letter (“Sorry, but an illegal immigrant should get in line,” July 7 Pick of the day):

Before graduating from Bassett High, I looked into becoming legal. I did thorough research on the Internet and spoke with lawyers for months.

After finding no way of becoming legal while remaining in the country, I realized I would have to take a chance and go back to Mexico to get “in the back of the line.” The day before my departure, I decided not to leave.

I love my family. I cannot just leave for ambition and leave them here to struggle. I refused to leave my young brother without someone to look up to and look after him.

I couldn’t leave the country I was raised in and loved dearly.

If Palmer is suggesting that I get married to become legal, I refuse to do such a thing. If he’s suggesting I leave my family and take a “chance” on having an application accepted for legal migration, I refuse to not be there for my immediate family for years, a decade or forever.

If he’s asking that I leave the country I love and wish to help move forward, I refuse to. I may be undocumented, but I am an American at heart.

A friend recently told me I am an undocumented American. I don’t need documents to prove my love for this country.

I need documents to help carry out wthe responsibilities of an American citizen legally by contributing, volunteering and helping this great country move forward.

Monday, August 12, 2013