During the Pol Pot era my parents made a life changing decision to escape the carnage and massacre of millions of ordinary Cambodian citizen under the Khmer Rouge regime. Unfortunately over 1 million people perished including some of my immediate family members. I have no recollection of this period in my life as I was still an infant, but these are the history lessons told by my parents and the older generation.

In 1981 our family managed to escape and cross over to Thailand and settled in a refugee camp called Sra Kheo. How is this relevant to immigration you may ask? During our time at the refugee camp somehow we were the lucky few who were chosen and got sponsored by a church group to come to the United States.

It was in 1983 is when we first set foot on American soil and until this day we call our home. We did not come here illegally, but I can assure you if America shared the same border as Cambodia during the Pol Pot era there will be a flood of refugees crossing the border to seek shelter and safety. The drug war may not be on the same scale, but the logic is the same. Those who are risking their lives and leaving behind their family to come to the United States is looking for a better life. Not for them, but for the family back at home.

I side with the Democrats that employers should be held accountable and risk a stiff penalty for hiring undocumented workers. This will in essence cut off their source of income and will discourage most people from making the trip across the border knowing that finding a job and making ends meet will be difficult.
I also agree with the Republican on NOT granting amnesty to those who are here illegally. This is not fair to those who abide the law and got here thru the proper channels.

I just hope OUR government can put their differences aside and work together and come up with a fair and balanced decision and offer their solution on the next ballot and give the power back to the US Citizen to vote on this measure.