Neighbors

          I'm a bit off subject today, but hey, it happens. Authors often get their ideas for a story by asking, “What if.” Want to try it with me? Okay, what if you woke up to the sound of hammering and found strangers who had pitched a tent in your back and were busy building a house?

          Being a reasonable sort, you maintain your cool and saunter on over. These people are poor. Not only do they have no money they have no way to make any money. They’ve traveled a long way to reach your yard and have no way to get back where they came from. The lack basic necessities, but are going to try and start over from their new backyard homestead. They chose you house because their children need an education and there’s an excellent school in your neighborhood. Besides, they say, you have all this unused land and the taxes are paid on it. Why not share?

          You’re in no mood; you run them off, but the next morning they are back and working more feverishly than ever. You ask them to leave and they refuse—it’s so nice in your yard. Fed up you call the police. The police have bigger fish to fry so they say, “Be a nice guy and let them stay. After all they only want to share your success.”

          Now, what if these people were from Detroit? Do you cave let them stay?

          If you answered no; I want to ask why it is any different if they come from Nogales, Juarez or Nuevo Laredo. Isn’t it trespassing no matter where you come from or what language you do it in?

          If you answered yes; there are millions of illegal immigrants who want your phone number.