成人X站

GEE & URSULA

Tony, an undocumented immigrant, reminds us all that we are human

Feb 21, 2020, 5:46 PM

New visa restrictions for some Asian and African countries started Friday as part of the Trump administration’s .

While the Department of Homeland Security is preventing most immigrants from these countries from getting visas that lead to green cards, there are still people who are able to get around the restrictions.

A guest on 成人X站 Radio’s Gee and Ursula Show, going by the name Tony, is an undocumented immigrant who spoke openly about his life in America, how he got here, and the common misconceptions of the media and general public.

DOJ suing King County over ban on ICE flights out of Boeing Field

This is Tony’s 20th year in America. He came when he was a teenager with a tour group, and then stayed with paid help from people who connected him with someone who could take him in until he found his own way.

Tony says his reason for leaving his homeland is simple.

“Just for a better life, better opportunities, and the safety, not just for myself, but for [my] kids, family members, and our loved ones,” he said.

In terms of what media get right about undocumented immigrants like Tony, he admitted they get a lot right. He said there are many people who come here just to have children so they can be American citizens, or people who come for the benefits.

As for what media gets wrong, he pointed to the hate.

“It’s like they look down on me or people like me because we’re trying to make this country somewhat less, or we’re just trying to hurt American people or take advantage of them,” Tony said.

That’s not the case, he said. Tony is here for his kids, his loved ones, doing everything he can, as he believes every parent would do for their own kids.

The other misconception is that there is a “proper channel” for undocumented immigrants to gain legal status in the United States. If you cross the border or overstay a visa, Tony said there is still no legal process. The only way, he said, for someone in a case like his to get legal status in America is to marry someone who is a citizen, which he personally refuses to do.

If you do try to apply for a visa and come to the country legally, there’s no guarantee. A Russian friend of Tony’s has applied more than 10 times, and has been denied more than 10 times, he said, and each application costs about $250.

Given the current political landscape, Tony said he doesn’t see this process changing anytime soon.

“I think there’s some sad reality in America right now,” he said. “I really don’t think there’s going to be immigration reform any time soon. Maybe another 20, 30 years.”

Even with the everyday fears of getting caught, the difficulties and discrimination he’s faced in trying to get jobs over the years, and the lack of hope he has for the near future of immigration, he doesn’t want to live anywhere else.

“I love America, I love American people,” he said. “Despite what’s happening in this country right now, despite all the crazy things happening, despite all that, America is still, in my opinion, the greatest nation on this planet, the greatest nation that has ever existed.”

People come to the U.S. because they love this country, he said, and because this is where they want their children to grow up, not to “rob America of its wealth.”

Tony left listeners with a powerful message: “We’re all humans. Whatever we are. Black, white, Latino, or whatever. Man or woman, documented or not. In the end, we’re all just the same: human beings.”

Ursula: A message of gratitude to our listeners

Gee Scott echoed Tony’s sentiment in his own reflection following the interview on air.

“So often we hear about everyone’s opinion about [undocumented immigrants], but rarely do we hear from them. We asked him about what we media get right, and what we get wrong. We asked about the process of becoming a citizen and what his plan is going forward.”

“No matter your opinion, documented or undocumented, these are still human beings,” Scott said. “The goal of our show is to hear from everyone, including you.”

Listen to the Gee and Ursula weekday mornings from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on 成人X站 Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Gee and Ursula Show

Gee & Ursula

no kings protest seattle...

Frank Sumrall

‘On the right side of history’: 70,000 join peaceful No Kings protest in Seattle before unrest flared up after dark

More than 70,000 people turned out for the No Kings protest that started at Cal Anderson Park at 12 p.m. Saturday before marching to the city's downtown neighborhood.

1 day ago

sea lion ballard...

Frank Sumrall

Shilshole sea lion surge: Marina docks overrun in Ballard

Dozens of sea lions have made the public guest docks at Shilshole Bay Marina in Ballard their new, temporary home, a customary move over the last few years.

3 days ago

Father's Day gift ideas Seattle...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘I love that idea’: Gee and Ursula share creative Father’s Day gift ideas

Discover unique Father's Day gifts with insights from Gee and Ursula on 成人X站 Newsradio to celebrate your dad this year.

3 days ago

musical aviatrix kiro...

Frank Sumrall

成人X站 host Angela Poe Russell unveils ‘Aviatrix,’ a musical about a forgotten aviation hero

成人X站 fill-in host Angela Poe Russell penned a musical for the stage called "Aviatrix," with a stage reading Friday, June 13 at 7 p.m.

4 days ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Christian owned Spa in Washington Must Admit Trans Women

A federal appeals court has ruled that a Christian-owned Korean spa in Washington state cannot legally ban transgender women from its services. The court affirmed that such a ban violates state anti-discrimination laws focused on gender identity protections. Listen to the Gee and Ursula Show every weekday at 9am on 成人X站 Newsradio 97.3 FM. Listen […]

4 days ago

wage theft royal india...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘Society doesn’t care’: Gee and Ursula condemn Royal India’s wage theft

Seattle's Royal India restaurant is charged with stealing $45,000 from employees, raising concerns about labor practices.

5 days ago

Tony, an undocumented immigrant, reminds us all that we are human