My Mexican Friend

My friend Jorge came over to hang out the other night, and as always, I drilled Jorge with a lot of questions. He is from Mexico, and have never visited another country and being fascinated with anything out of the ordinary, I tend have many inquiries. I always enjoy hanging out with my Mexican friend because he is such a remarkable guy. He came to the states not knowing a drop of English and has driven himself to pick it up quickly. He even attempted to tutor me for my Spanish class last semester, only to find out that foreign languages are beyond difficult for me. So I appreciate his fervor in learning another language more than most.
After a bit of Mexican and American political repartee, I insisted that Jorge go out on the town with me one weekend and he laughed - he is not 21 yet. But before he could explain the reason for his laughter I embarrassed myself with an assumption I am still ashamed of. I said, sigh, "Oh, that's right, there are a lot of cops up there. That would not be wise, huh?" He looked at me, puzzled, and said "I'm legal, Brittany, just not to drink." Talk about insert foot in mouth. It still hurts me to think about, but it made me aware of my presumptions.
Then Jorge asked me if I'd like to hear why he learned English. "Of course!" I chimed, awaiting an exciting story. He began:
"One day a white man came up to me and said 'get the f- out of my country, you mother f-ing wetback'. I didn't know what he said that day, so I decided to learn English."
He continued that he began listening carefully to English-speaking people, trying to catch some of the words. He started reading and researching, along with practicing speaking in English. This is just amazing to me because I have taken six classes since the age of 14 to learn not near as much as he has learned on his own! I constantly remind Jorge that there is no way I could survive outside of the United States. In fact, all I remember from Spanish class is the all important "cerveza".
As the evening began to wind down, I asked my muy intelligente amigo why he moved to the U.S. in the first place and what he plans to do with his life. He said he moved here to support his family back home, as many immigrants do. When he makes enough money to build a reasonable financial cushion, he plans on returning to Mexico to become a doctor.
I was talking to an acquaintance about Jorge the other day and she said "Ew, I hate Mexicans. They are taking all of our jobs and our money." I thought about smacking her, but refrained myself as I replied, "You don't even know him." I continued that if I were in his position I would gladly do the same thing. I take my family and my financial stability very seriously and I will do whatever it it takes to make sure our needs are met. That includes moving out of the country to do other people's dirty work. You know, as much as people here fuss about the immigration problem, so few try to actually understand the reasoning behind it and the people involved. If we would try to make sense of the issue we have an understand it for what it is, we would also realize that these "aliens" as some are affectionately called, have the same aspirations as you and me. They just have to go to greater lengths to reach their dreams.