There has been a problem in the world with immigration, especially in America. President Obama has six ways of allowing immigrants come legally; Family-Based immigration, Employment-Based Immigrants, Refugees and Asylees, The Diversity Visa Program, and Humanitarian Relief. Any form of illegal immigration has been prohibited and severe laws regarding this have been put in place.

Recently, Donald Trump has made offensive comments regarding Mexican immigrants, leading to debates on illegal immigration. On September 10, the Federal court ruling SB 1070 further sparked the debate. “I feel offended and ashamed about how strict the country I live in have their laws for people who come for a better lifestyle,” said junior Jesus Perez.

According to cis.org, Federal judge Susan R. Bolton’s recent ruling on Arizona’s 2010 immigration law, Senate Bill 1070, reminds citizens of Arizona why change might be necessary. ”The law should be more considerate,” said Perez. “The diversity at Smoky Hill makes me feel proud and respected, I like the fact I get to learn about new cultures”

With the assistance of anti-immigrant attorney Kris Kobach, now Kansas’ secretary of state, and part of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, Randy T. Pearce created a law that stated his intention as “to make attrition through enforcement the public policy of all state and local government agencies in Arizona.” Junior Alexis Gurzich has mixed feelings on the new laws put into place. “Part of me is against it and part of me is for it,” Gurzich said. “I don’t think illegal immigrants should come to America, but it should also be easier to get a green card.”

At a school like Smoky Hill High School, the student population is very diverse. This diversity helps provide more than one point of view on the global issue of illegal immigration. “The diversity at Smoky Hill is great because I see that we are all treated equally,” Junior Zaywon James said. “People come together from different nationalities, and value each other’s cultures. Diversity also helps us get ready for the real world because in the real world you have to interact with people from different nationalities and if you can start a conversation with them about their culture than you have a good conversation in your hands.”

Gurzich was shocked to see the diversity at Smoky Hill. “In my old town in Durango, CO there was no diversity, and it was small,” Gurzich said. “When I moved to Aurora and saw the diversity it was amazing. I was extremely overwhelmed.”