I was an illegal immigrant

 

At a financial services conference which I was covering for a financial trade paper, the subject was banking services for immigrants, legal and illegal. 

I stood up and announced, "I've been an illegal immigrant."

I do not look like an illegal immigrant. I was a middle-aged-pushing-old-aged woman at the time. I was a reporter with a college degree. My clothes were stylish, my hair well cut. The only accent I had was Bostonian a little less thick than any of the Kennedys.

Many of the attendees knew me from other conferences, of my having interviewed them or having read my articles.

There was a hush as people adjusted stereotypes.

Here's how I became illegal.

The year was 1989. I wanted to move to Europe for many reasons. One was the violence which was nothing then compared to what it is now. Having had two acquaintances murdered was another box on my list of the reasons why I wanted to move.

Other boxes included the social contract such as better vacation and sick time never mind health care. I'd majored in English literature and history and loved exploring old towns and villages, not just in the U.K. I was aiming for France. I'd already bought my retirement studio in a tiny French village on the Med for $18,000 (good exchange rate). 

By selling my Boston condo at double what I'd paid for it, I had enough money to move while I job hunted. My dogs and I flew Air France and I stayed with friends as I sent CV after CV and started my battle with French.

I overstayed the amount of time I was allowed, making me illegal.

I never found the job. My mother developed cancer. The dogs and I returned to the States.

My next attempt was from Boston. I sent over 800 CVs (after I started counting) to Germany, Austria and France. I sent one CV to Switzerland and was hired, a fluke really. I'd been told Switzerland would be impossible. 

My employer got me my first an A, then a B permit. When I changed jobs, he loaned my permit to my new employer until I could get my Permis C which was the next best thing to citizenship. 

Twelve years later to the day that I was eligible, I applied for Swiss citizenship.Three years, eight months, and a few days later, after all kinds of paperwork and interviews, I turned in my Permis C, took the oath of nationality, sang the national anthem as part of the citizenship ceremony, drank the offered champagne, picked up my first voting package and received the red passport. I was safe.

No way, do I compare my experience to those that walked for months escaping poverty and gang attacks. No way were my working conditions in a hot field picking tomatoes. No way was where I lived anything but comfortable: nice apartments, well appointed kitchens, lovely bathrooms, balconies where I could check out rainbows after a summer storm.

What I can compare is having a dream for a better life and doing what is necessary to fulfill that dream. I lived where there was a clear path on what I needed to do. That I had certain skills made my task easier, but like many of those other illegals there was the constant fear of not doing what it is necessary to meet the requirements. 

Unlike those who fear ICE, the Swiss police were never going to sweep me up with illegals, jail and deport me, but there were times prejudice against foreigners showed. Fighting to learn a new language, frustration in not understanding what is being said, that is the same.

Geneva is 43% foreign. I'm told that years ago, Geneva tried to get rid of its foreigners and it hurt their economy. Maybe it could happen again???

Currently the U.S. in deporting farm workers are putting crops in danger of rotting in the fields. Getting rid of scientists who will take the talents to other countries, will mean other countries will benefit. I'm sure many American scientists will be snatched up by other countries too.

Foreign students will no longer come, Why bother? They can get far cheaper education and live less dangerous lives in other places. 

My life was improved by being first an illegal and then a legal immigrant. My social contract was far superior, my salary was higher. I have contributed to the country socially and economically where I've lived as well. 

It was worth the risk, fear and frustration. 

I sympathize with the immigrants in America. Like the Jews in Germany they are being scapegoated for political purposes. The way they are being attacked is disgusting at best, illegal at the most shameful way. 

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