We graduates of Brandeis University will be going into life as part of a very privileged class. We have so many advantages that we tend to take for granted. As difficult we may think it is to find jobs now, it is that much more difficult for all the people without our qualifications.As we go out into the world with these advantages, we must not forget the system that allowed us to be so privileged. America is the land of immigrants; everyone here had an ancestor who came seeking freedom and was blessed to find this great land. And if we, as Americans, see our freedoms as inalienable rights, endowed upon us by our Creator, then we have absolutely no right to discriminate on the basis of where someone is born.

To show our appreciation for the society that let us get ahead in life, we must support all those who wish to come to America seeking that same opportunity. This includes all the undocumented immigrants who come in from Mexico each year, seeking employment and trying to feed their families.

These are honest, hard-working individuals, who take some of the worst jobs in society just to be able to put food on their table. They are no less American than we are. U.S. culture is no more than the sum total of all the cultures that have immigrated here over the years, and to think that any one is more legitimately American than any other one is blatantly nativist.

There is but one fair solution to the so-called "immigration crisis:" amnesty for all. "Amnesty" has become a dirty word in the immigration debate. There is the presumption that amnesty means rewarding people for breaking the law. But that's not what the situation really is. These people did not break the law of their own free will. They would have loved to have been properly documented immigrants, registered and legal members of society, but our government refused to document them. It placed arbitrary quotas on how many people could come in, and the remainders were left with no choice. They did not come here to hurt anyone, only to put food on their tables. What right do we have to treat them like common criminals, hunting them down as if wanting to eat was as dangerous to society as murder? It is true they broke a law, but they broke an immoral law.

When Rosa Parks refused to go to the back of the bus, she too was breaking a law, but one that was immoral, and not in the spirit of American freedom-so breaking it was the right thing.

If every person who does not pose a danger would be properly documented upon entry, then only people who are genuine threats to our country would be forced to try to sneak in. This would allow us to devote resources and manpower towards protecting the country from actual criminals, instead of wasting our money on keeping out people who are only coming here to find a job. Thus, amnesty is the right policy for American security. Furthermore, if we document everyone who is working in this country, they can start paying their taxes without fear of repercussion. This would allow them to fully integrate into and become contributing members of American society. Instead of our tax money going to prevent them from working here, their working here would benefit the entire society. Thus, amnesty is the best policy for economy. We needn't worry that more people will come than there are jobs here. The fact is that they are coming to find jobs, and as soon as there are no more jobs here they will stop coming. That is how the flow of any commodity works in an economic system.

Life is like a game, and all too often, we act as if the rules of the game are self-justifying, and must be followed no matter what. We must remember, as we go out into the world, that rules can be challenged and changed. We must not be complacent and afraid to challenge our government for not doing what is right. It is only by encouraging people to violate the laws that contradict what we stand for as a country that those laws will ever be changed. I hope that this country will soon decide to adopt a fairer immigration policy. Until then, be a true American-break the law.

David Fried is a member of the Class of 2006.