The True Cost of the American Dream | Silvia Ramos | TEDxWinstonSalemWomen

Immigration is a hot topic in our nation's political landscape; but rarely is it viewed from the perspective of those who live it. This powerful talk takes the viewer on the often emotionally-wrought journey from illegal to legal citizen status in America.

Silvia Ramos has been a voice for diversity in higher education for fifteen years and believes in the engagement of the community is a key component to diversity.

[isabellazielinski]

A powerful message to explain the true cost of the American dream.

[lemonblue]

There was a lot going on in that talk. I never knew how hard it was to immigrate legally - especially the part about how you could be on the right track and lose it, before completing the process. I thought a visa running out was normal because it was always meant to be temporary and those people were meaning to go home after the job, school, visit was over. I also didn't know immigrants had to pay for the process. It doesn't make illegal crossing OK, but I understand it better now. I wish politicians were more specific when they say "immigration reform."

But she mentioned others things too.

That list of documents she listed had to be leaving some stuff out - because she sounded bitter about it -- yet I was born here of a family that's been here on both sides at least from the 1800s -- but every one of the documents she mentioned are in my file box (though my only "arrival" document is my birth certificate.) Those are all things you need to get a job, drivers license, passport, bank loan, be bonded for some jobs, and or to cope with a tax audit. I also have letters of reference from employers and teachers as well as school transcripts. That paper trail is how you prove your identity. You also want 7 years of bank and tax records.

Fighting a civil war must be harrowing. 620, 000 men died in the US civil war - and those are the ones who were counted - and it's not only men who died. Their journals make war sound, well, worse than movies.

It doesn't change the fact that there are real problems to deal with for any country receiving refugees, illegal immigrants, and legal immigrants. Especially now that the social expectation is that immigrants of what ever status need not assimilate into the traditional/mainstream culture of the nation receiving them.

Also, the colonists were called "settlers" instead of "illegals" because they were already citizens of the nation who legally (by their standards) owned the land they were coming to and they did it by the method that government laid out and later when the US was in control, they came from all over the world -- through the designated portals and following the process then in use. If not they were stowaways or crossing illegally and there were legal consequences - if they weren't put overboard or shot.

Legal immigration is harder than I was aware. I am more convinced than before hearing this talk that what the government needs to do is close the borders to everyone who's not a citizen-- get everyone already here sorted onto a citizenship track or if they aren't meaning to become citizens see that their situation is sorted. THEN redesign the whole system so it's actually one people can work within and then enforce it.

[cedricdlamini]

Shit..I felt that...didn't know TED can get so deep.

[sakshamsharma]

This video perfectly captures the cost of the 'American Dream'!

[joedhoffer]

Silvia Ramos speaks English like an angel...

[josejimenaz]

she just said it even not my experience experiencing tat but very true. thumbs up truth

[sanjuansteve]

I was an American illegal alien in Paris, France for a year, I worked with as was paid as an illegal alien in Phoenix as an American, and I'm now an illegal alien American in México (it would feel wrong to get my papers here when my equals taking my place in El Norte do not have the same ability). #SinFronteras #SinBanderas #SomosUno

[caelynoel]

I actually know her really well, that's my Ti Ti Cari (aunt).

[jorgebienvenidocevallosbra]

If all immigrants could adapt to society like her, nobody would complain about immigrants.

[robschrack]

shows the real cost of the american dream.

[deadeyeridge]

Wish this brought her closer to the gospel

[thethird]

Ms. Ramos hits the nail right on the head. American society is an unwelcoming society and I am a documented "alien" a "caucasian" would be called an expatriate if they were to migrate to my native land, and be welcomed.

[michaelmarquez]

Her dad stayed up all night organizing his paper work. I do that when i need to renew my drivers license. So whats your gripe?

[FableMythLore]

Okay first off up to 2:32 you just explained what its like to be a white male in the US. Coming to the US doesn’t help your odds just improves what kind of slavery you want to live in, if you choose US you choose the life of Wage Slave. Why the change in terminology of settlers and illegal immigrant, Time and Formal government. Free flow of immigration can and often does cause chaos from both sides (the people wanting in and the people who are established). Yes, there are a lot of race and religious issues in the immigration but requiring fluent English as a part of citizenship and being able to at-least pass and obtain a GED. Few conditions should bypass citizenship (aka political asylum, ect. even that should be until event ends or formal citizenship is obtained). Welcome to US as the average person (regardless of race) has to fight there battles behind closed doors quietly or be discriminated against or called a crazy. Your journey started like most mornings for many Americans to afraid to say that the state is out of hand. Civil war is an internal conflict, US should not normally be involved with it and should not be taking immigrants from nations under a civil war. However medical aid in that country should not be denied too anyone. Pending what neighbourhood you live in the US happens daily even with explosives. Again, your childhood is matching at least a million US citizens of all races and backgrounds. Common security practice I recommend all people to do, is to take different route too and from home and destination, Not just for your safety but for everyone you know. ~sighs~

Im going to stop at this point, and assume you just want to be treated Superior too, and not equal too, not even with equity. Hey, if this was going to be about how to raise the bar for everyone not just immigrants I would jump on board.

[michaelmarquez]

If she doesn't like it here, she can leave. Please.

[wddude]

these people have more rights as immigrants than as American citizens...

[tboned]

Your American from the Top of Canada to the Bottom of Native Americans from hundreds of is to Document the Foreign Populous not the Native

[michaelmarquez]

So now she holds a deep animosity against America, just leave girl and be happy in your nirvana land, San Francisco.

[dlbroaders]

Are you genuinely being serious right now???? I'm Irish. Every dam country I go to I get stopped and get accused of being a member of an Irish terrorist group