Farmingville the explosive issue of illegal immigration - Essay Example

Sandoval and Tambini try to explain the point of view of the Farmingville residents opposed to illegal immigration, in an effort to show that not all opposition is predicated on racism. Louise and Tom, opponents of illegal immigration, are not depicted as racist but as residents who have legitimate complaints against the influx of illegal immigrants to Farmingville. Louise admits that she has a problem with illegal immigrants and that she cannot abide the fact that houses designed to accommodate single families are currently housing 20 to 30 day labourers.

Her concerns are legitimate and, when considering that she is not opposed to immigration but to illegal immigration, seem free of racism. Added to that, the housing situation is, from an objective point of view, intolerable and a source of concern, whether for the geriatric female neighbour living alone or for home owners who fear property devaluation. Certainly, Laura's argument may not be completely persuasive but it expresses a point of view which does not seem to speak of racism. Similarly, Tom's displeasure over the sudden influx of truck traffic may not be a persuasive argument against illegal immigration but it is a legitimate, non-racist one. . The other Farmingville residents are invariably portrayed as incapable of expressing their stance against illegal immigration without injecting a racist undertone into their dialogue and, most definitely, without descending into emotional and somewhat illogical diatribe.

The scene featuring the Californian woman is evidence of this. Juxtaposed against immigrants who are silently cleaning the streets, cheerfully organizing a soccer match and preparing the fields, the Californian woman emerges as illogically racist. She accuses illegal aliens of being thieves, murderers and rapists, insisting that their presence in Farmingville is part of a Hispanic conspiracy to re-conquer the United States and expel all non-Hispanic Americans. Needless to say, her inclusion among the ranks of the opponents of illegal immigration reflects very negatively on this group and communicates an impression of their being racist and of their predicating their opposition to illegal immigration on racist principles.

Sandoval and Tambini's depiction of the Sachem Quality of Life (SQL) group further evidences the filmmakers' failure to objectively present the controversy over illegal immigration in Farmingville. In one scene of the very many were SQL members are depicted as racist hate-mongers who are incapable of articulating a logical argument against illegal immigration, the group allies itself with national anti-immigration groups across the country. They recruit members of those other groups to speak against immigration in their "Day of Truth.

" It is significant that they do not present a fact-based argument against illegal immigration. For example, they claim that it hurts the economy without looking at evidence to the contrary and, more