Immigrant kids

A Margaret under age 80, Denver CO — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:44:38 GMT

I look forward to the airing of this piece! Forgive me, but I didn't know you were contributing to the Nightly News now. I'm glad for you and for us :)

My father came to the U.S. from the Netherlands at age 21. Much of what you've written rings bells with me. Thank you.

Immigrant kids

Joan Morales, Barcelona, Spain — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:10:05 GMT

Thanks Maria for your inpiring writting on the blog. Look forward to see is in the news. Really these kids are profiles of courage from which we all can learn a lot. Thanks you Maria.

Immigrant kids

Andreas Medina-Culpepper-Galavan, San Juan, PR — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:12:41 GMT

Yet another superficial, fluffy feel-good "article" about melting pot "race" mythology tauted as "deep" and profound.
1. No mention of the agonizing fiscal pain taxpayers suffer at the hands of unlawful "immigrant" thugs whose first civic act in America is to dismiss our immigration policies with as much thought as that given to used toilet paper.
2. "Latinos" IS NOT A RACE no matter how many times this uninformed lie is repeated in the mediocrity and thoughtlessness that is America's mass media venue. There are Blacks, Whites, Indigenous and even Middle Eastern and Asian people in this fictitious and erroneous "racial" category.
3. It takes more than air-brushed make-up and a trendy (hair)do to be believable and Maria fell flat here with this tripe. What a disappointment from an intellectual perspective, but it did make my 5 year old smear less of his Thai food on his T-shirt and get it into his mouth.

Immigrant kids

Dan Marrs, Farmington, UT — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:51:47 GMT

Thank you for your piece regarding the changing of the ethnic balance of our country. I find it comforting that we are, again, becoming what made this country what it is – diverse.
Too often I hear the argument “what happened to the America I knew?” My thought on this is that we became bigoted and lost sight of our true heritage whose roots are based on broad diversity, albeit, in those times, primarily Caucasian.
As the world “shrinks,” this new broad diversity promises to bring us the same kind of ties in world we had back in the days of our blossoming democracy which contributed directly to our future growth and stature as a member (and leader) of our worlds governments.
I was impressed with the interactions of students of so many countries as this has a direct and long term impact on how these students will interact with their fellow classmates and citizens they have contact with throughout their lifetimes.
I look forward to my country being a member of the world community again.

Immigrant kids

Mr. Peña,raleigh,North Carolina — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:30:37 GMT

some time it's sad that us.born kids of 5years old,7 year olds , 15 years old kids and their parents don't have legal papers to work ,and trying to get them in to the good system of education in this wonderful country,thats real challenge in life.
thank you

Immigrant kids

Mt tate — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:15:01 GMT

I wonder how many of those kids of immigrant parents are receiving government assistance. Sorry no average person living in the US today can support as many children as immigrants now have. You do not see native people of this country having more than a few children and we all know why . We can not afford it. We pay are own way. We do not get welfare ,food stamp and other welfare goodies. We are supporting the demise of the Europe based America with are liberal welfare and immigration policies. God help America 30 years from now, when everyone will believe they are entitled to every thing for free at other people expense. The more immigration within the welfare society we now live in will be the demise of America. We need a break from all immigration.

Immigrant kids

Bixbee Williams, Blackshear GA — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:49:43 GMT

Thank you so much for your story on immigrants. I watched it last night and then shared it with my 5th grade students today in class. We are studying the emergence of the immigrant population at the turn of the century. It was great for my students to see the effect of a growing immigrant population. It also gives an underlying lesson in character as we were able to discuss the importance of accepting others.

Immigrant kids

Daniel Malloy — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:24:37 GMT

I wonder what the precentage of first generation Americans have illegal parents? Come to America and make an American or two, three, etc. Yep, make it into the country have some kids and presto Americans. Lets do the math 10 million (conservative estimate) illegals have 10 miilion children, who have 10 million children, etc. I'm just glad the US isn't attached to India.

Immigrant kids

Sandra Salisbury, Deer Lodge, MT — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:33:39 GMT

I watched this article and was not surprised when Oz's parents said - even after over 17 years in this country - that "it was too hard to learn english." Give me a break. They do not have to learn english because they live in a community where they do not have to. The Latinos are no different than the large communities of Vietnamese, Chinese or Cubans. Only when they have to interact with American society as a whole do they make an attempt to learn english. Why is it that english is the preferred "foreign" language for the Chinese, the Germans, children in the middle of the African desert, but not for Latinos in America. Here, they can press 2 for spanish.

Immigrant kids

Marina Titarenko, Ankeny IA (originally from Russia) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:55:38 GMT

My parents immigrated to the US 10 years ago and I was 14 years old at the time. I dod not know any English and was enrolled into the public schools one month after I came to US. My parents did not know English and I had to learn English,get good grades at school and do everything in the house and out (pay bils, make and answer all phone calls, attend all doctor appointments for with my parents).I've attended English As A Second Language classes at school and was not expected to go to college after school.
Now 10 years later I have two a colege degree, 2 kids, husband (who was in absolutely the same situation being an immigrant with non-english speaking parents as well) and a job.
My husband and I still take care of our parents - making rhe phone calles and going to the doctors with them. It is vry complicated to fit all of those things in a day.
Thank you very much for bringing this topic up and hopefully poeple aroubnf us will be more kind and understandabe to children and young adults that are cought in that situation!

Immigrant kids

Maria Kritzas, Aiken, SC — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:00:14 GMT

Maria, thank you for this piece. It hit home. My family came to this country in 1966 and at the age of 11 and I was the head of the household. I relate to everything you wrote about the struggles of trying to fit, to be excepted and to belong. It was very hard but
it made me strong. I love the country that I came from because my roots are from there and I have family there, but America is my home now and I thank God everyday that I live here. People born in this country don't realize how good they have it here.

Immigrant kids

Norman Charles, NYC — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:17:30 GMT

Menounos's segments set a new low for network news broadcasting. It is unbelievable that a network news show (even one with such low standards as NBC) would air this. Menounos should stick with Access Hollywood. She does not belong on Nightly News.

Immigrant kids

Childadvocate — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 09:33:35 GMT

Maria,

I identified with your story. It is refreshing to acknowledge the experience many of us have in this country. It is inspiring to see the next generation show less racism and discriminatory attitudes than some of the people who have commented here. I am not at all surprised to hear the immediate complaints of how much immigrants cost to taxpayers or tendecies to rely on public assistance. If they actually researched the statistics on public welfare, they would really be surprised. Regardless of how they feel about immigrants, we're here to stay. Personally, I am making sure my son also speaks Spanish. I don't make any apologies to anyone. Actually, I look forward to being a Spanish teacher. Guess who will be learning Spanish soon?

Immigrant kids

Caitlyn R. Chicago, IL — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:47:42 GMT

This article really touched me. As a future wife of an immigrant, i really think that these things are true as can be. It is really hard for the younger generation to take responsibilites of an adult situation. Also, the language is a lot harder to learn than you might think. English as a second language could be helpful with job-findings, because bilingual people can reach out to many more people. Also, the Mexican groceriry stores have made it easier to find work and a place to buy food for me. And the more bi-lingual people in America, the more diverse the population, and all the races can come together. Thank you for reading my thoughts on this.

Immigrant kids

Miguel A. depaz Riverhead Long island NY — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:26:48 GMT

I might be speak and writing on broke English but after fifteen year living in this country finally I am watching a very pretigious channel reporting on controvertial issue I so proud to be spanish, and after I saw the announcement on telemundo I began calling all my friends, most of them americans, and all of them were so happy about it thank you NBC for this report and we will be watching you tomorrow...

Immigrant kids

Brad Winston, Portland OR — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:07:02 GMT

Kids are used to advance socialism. The goal is to elicit sympathy for them and give them whatever they ask.

If a parent is here illegally, their kids are illegal, too.
Anchor babies are used for chain migration that bring in at least 40 additional aliens. Our country is being overrun by illegal aliens.

The problem with socialism is eventually you run out of other people's money.