I normally dont post about my company, Ark-La-Tex Financial Consultants, LLC, on my personal FB page (we have a company page). But today I traveled to Forest Hill Louisiana to visit some new clients and its just too good a story to not share. Turns out there are two brothers down there who have worked for a nursery for past 20 years. These guys are in their late thirties so they must have been working on this farm since they were teenagers. They came to work at this farm as immigrant laborers from Mexico. These guys became like sons to the farmer who owned the nursery and it was his wish that these guys take over his farm one day. Everyone knew of this wish, the farmers family, attorney, CPA, etc. they had talked about it for years, but never put it all on paper, as there was always next year. Then suddenly, the owner died a couple years ago. Without everything papered up, the farm has been left in operation with these two immigrants in charge of daily operation, under the final supervision of the administrator of the estate. Along the way of the past year, one of the brothers obtained his resident card (green card). It was a long process to get there for him, first working here as a teenager, most Likely not documented, then getting a worker visa, then advancing to resident status. Keep in mind, all along he paid his taxes, paid into social security, bought land, paid property taxes, sends his kids to school. The elder brother, of about 40 years old now, well hes having some problems of late. Though hes paid taxes for decades, worked here legally with a work visa, paid into social security, his work visa has expired due to some reason or another, but by all evidence thru no fault of his own. Now here they are. Valued members of the community, hard workers. They supervise about 15 employees under the H2A immigrant labor program for the continued operation of this farm. We got the path for the finance of the brothers purchase of the farm figured out. So life is pretty good for them, they are realizing the American dream. But today, in light of all the Banter about immigration reform, words like amnesty, some folks speaking out on one side of the subject or other, here I was with two guys who find themselves living out the effects of all this stuff we hear on Fox and CNN everyday. After I told them that we had an avenue for their financing, in spite of the problems with there status as immigrants (we had to bring a US citizen into the deal to make that happen) they were happy. But I could sense some frustration. I finally asked about how they see their future. Their response was simple. They both will continue to trudge the road to becoming citizens. The younger brother said he has 3 years to wait to get there. The older brother said the executive order the president signed lets him sleep at night without fear of deportation and will fast track renewal of his work visa. Then he can get in line to become a citizen, in about five years. I asked why, if they could just remain here and work legally for life, essentially, was it so important to them to become citizens. They responded that becoming US citizens was their ultimate goal in life. They praised this country as home. They are glad to renounce their birth rights in Mexico to become American. They feel American, buy American, watch American television and movies, even discuss American politics. One of them summed it up best. To become a citizen would give them the right to have a voice that matters in the country they love. (It was then the wife and I reared up some). Now folks, I leave two lessens here that are most appropriate for New Years Eve. 1. Dont be like the farmer. Tend to that paperwork youve put off. We are not guaranteed next year. 2. The next time you see an obvious immigrant worker, some cleaning your hotel room, mowing your lawn, planting your flowers, building a house. Dont assume they are drains on us. These folks may be the owner or future owners of businesses that we depend on. They may be undocumented now, but working hard to change that. And the reason they want to be here is to be part of something greater than themselves. I realized today how truly blessed I am to have been born American. After today, I hope Im more accepting of other peoples efforts to work hard for the same citizenship that was given free to me. God bless everyone tonight. Be safe out there. Get a designated driver. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:50:49 +0000
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