A major issue that exists in my city is immigration. I live in San Diego which is close to the border of Mexico and something relating to immigration is on the news everyday.

Not only is it an important issue to me because of where I live, but also because it's been something my family has had to deal with. My father is a native of El Salvador and came to the United States in 1986. He was able to get the proper documents to be legal in the United States but he wasn't yet a resident or citizen.

He has obtained a working permit ever since then and has worked at the same company for 22 years. He has worked hard all of his life and has come really far. He started as a simple dish washer then he became the culinary manager and now he is a general manager for Red Lobster. My whole life he has been a great dad.

About seven months ago he found out that he was supposed to be deported back in 1991, but he never knew about it back then. In January, he was told that he had six months to leave the country or he would be deported.

The news hit me pretty hard. My dad has been there my whole life and I just couldn't bear the thought of him leaving. I just thought about him missing a lot of important times in my life like graduating from high school, starting college, and many other things.

Also the fact that he wouldn't be there to help me whenever I needed it or just hang out together really got to me. I felt alone because even when I told my friends about what was going on, they just said that everything was going to be okay.

When my mom told me about my dads plans to settle in Canada I just got worse. I tried to look at the positive things, but I wanted him to stay here.

I got really angry and began to think about this from a political mindset. Yes it's true that he came to the United States illegally but ever since that he has only done positive things. He has a job, pays taxes, does volunteer work, raised a family, and so many other things.

I don't think it was fair. The past few months have been pretty hard. I try to spend as much time as possible with my dad but sometimes it's too hard and I would rather not be with him. It's a complicated time for me but hopefully in the end everything will work out.

Immigration is a really controversial issue that needs to be resolved. But by trying to close all the doors, not much is going to change. A simpler plan should be established that helps the issue but doesn't completely close the United States. So many people have risked their lives for a better one here in the United States.