The current administration has made no secret about its positions on immigration, as they continue to present anti-immigration positions and their continued insistence that a wall be built. Unfortunately this rhetoric is nothing new; this country has always had divided feelings about undocumented immigrants. While feelings may differ the intention of those who come to America (or who are brought here) illegally is simple: the opportunity of a better life.
While there are many opportunities America can offer citizens of other countries that arrive here illegally, there is plenty that we can learn from them, too.
Refine Your Work Ethic & Be Mindful of the Big Picture
As Americans we often believe that if a certain job or career is not “working out” we are obligated to quit and find one that is a better fit. That approach can weaken our work ethic and in turn our job prospects. Undocumented immigrants don’t have that luxury. Instead they operate with a titanium-encrusted work ethic. Every job opportunity is approached with discipline, integrity and a feeling of responsibility. They understand that deviation from these ethics is devastating and crippling to their quality of life. So trust, there is no dashing out of the workplace at 5 p.m. sharp; no complaining about a commute to and from work; there is no proverbial dog that ate his or her homework. There is however, a steely resolve to get the job done because there is often way more at stake than a paycheck.
Reduce Your Personal Footprint
We publicly document our existence like our lives depended on it. As we put our best selves out there, we live for the “likes,” “favorites” and “loves” on our social media feeds. Conversely, undocumented immigrants live in the shadows because they feel like they have to maintain a low profile – virtual or otherwise. They are far more concerned with a different form of documentation, and it is not related to social media. The lesson here – reduce your ever increasing intentionally public life because it can work against you, including career prospects.
Be Hungry for Knowledge
The old adage “you never stop learning” is true. For undocumented immigrants knowledge truly is power. In order to survive they, for example, must know where to go (and not to go) for social services, to worship or to enroll their children in school. Their quest and appetite for information is a necessity. It should be as vital a nutrient for us too.
Sit With Faith
As Americans we allow and rely on external motivations to guide our lives. Undocumented immigrants, by virtue of leaving their loved ones, customs and possibly losing their lives in the process, sit in a space of faith with their decision to migrate. At times that is all they have. They put one foot in front of the other and have faith that their journey and destiny does not belong to them. They surrender it to someone, or something, bigger than themselves. That kind of faith can help anyone purge himself or herself of the paralyzing reality of fear.
Envelope Filial Piety
Derived from a Chinese ideology, filial piety means to have respect for your parents and family elders. Undocumented children are perhaps the biggest teachers of this lesson. They fiercely work at bettering themselves and their circumstances, particularly via education, to honor their parents’ sacrifices. By extension, the act declares that you are respectful, loyal and dutiful. It shows that you in turn can have the same reverence for your friends, loved ones and country.