It seems it is no longer the fashion to talk about the attacks on immigrants. Yet, the attacks continue and, unfortunately, are still very much in fashion.  

Besides the aggressive continuation of deportations throughout the country, there is a great variety of proposals for legislation that would limit the civil rights and free movement of immigrants. 

And just as we have become insensitive to the direct attacks on undocumented immigrants, now the target of these ferocious attacks are the children of immigrants. 

This is truly alarming. Throughout the history of immigration in this country, it is true that one can say "the most recently arrived ethnic group" is the one most subject to discrimination and recrimination. But it is also true that historically the children of the new arrivals, born here, have been treated as American citizens. 

If you doubt that the persecution I refer to actually exists, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, consider the following: at this very moment there are groups petitioning for an amendment to the United States Constitution that would require the children of undocumented immigrants not be considered citizens, regardless of the fact that they were born in U.S. territory. 

 Legislators in Washington refuse to grant young people raised and educated here the opportunity to legalize their immigration status, in spite of the contribution they necessarily make or will make in the future to this country and its economy. With the rejection of the DREAM Act, the members of Congress trampled, without sentiment, on the dreams of an entire generation. 

 In spite of the fact that there are more than three U.S. presidents whose parents were born in other countries, an alarmingly large number of American residents question the nationality of President Obama, basing their doubts primarily on the fact that his father was born in Kenya. Of course there is an element of racial discrimination in this, but there can be no doubt that it also taps into the anti-immigrant paranoia which has invaded much of the North American populace. 

Although I could go on to cite many more examples, I believe I've made my case, unfortunately. And now: What do we do?  Do we sit back and cross our arms in fear that they will come and attack us too, or do we face them in solidarity?