BORDERLINES

While receiving constant coverage from the media, the topic of immigration in Miami appears in the more personal perspective compared to how it usually is described through statistical data and debates. Being one of the cities with the largest foreign-born population in the United States, Miami is a home to families who come from Latin America and the Caribbean, meaning that immigration is a cornerstone of the society in question and not a politicized topic only. While the presence of historical communities such as Little Haiti or universities serve as the tangible representation of immigration, the conflict between legality and personal aspirations is the essence of this phenomenon.

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For instance, the case of Sarah Woodside, who attends FIU, exemplifies many difficulties that are encountered by immigrants due to their lack of documentation. These include being detained for visa checks in the airport as well as missing classes and flights because of it.Despite the fact that her education and skills are an asset to the community, the constant administrative pressure regarding her legal standing can prevent a student from fully focusing on their studies. It is obvious that such examples clearly illustrate how the existing immigration system may directly harm the academic success of a student.

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Furthermore, one may note that the debate on immigration among the residents of Miami includes some interesting insights. For instance, Veronica Rubio, who has an immigrant background common to all other immigrants in the neighborhood, believes that in America, the law must be obeyed while addressing the issue of immigrants. This demonstrates the complexity of ideological differences, since, on the one hand, everybody understands the hopelessness of immigrants, and on the other, everyone demands the order to be kept and legality maintained.

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In conclusion, we should note that the situation of immigration in Miami can be considered among the various societal issues that require investigation into its effects on society. Even though there is a variety of organizations working with immigrants and their families, such as the International Student and Scholar Services at FIU, they have to operate in a context where there is no agreement between different parties involved. Since immigration is one of the most controversial topics within the US political framework, the narratives emerging from Miami make it clear that the solution should come from accepting people in the first place.