You Have To Go Back, Larissa

I don't know if Larissa Martinez is going to wind up being a neurosurgeon like she plans. She was valedictorian at McKinney Boyd High School in Texas, and earned a full scholarship to Yale. It's certainly within her reach.

The only reason I know who Larissa Martinez is, is because she "came out" as "undocumented" in her graduation address.

I watched the video of her speech. I kept an open mind and hoped to find something nice to say about her. All I was looking for was a meager scrap of gratitude.

Didn't get it.

Martinez told fellow students that she "moved from Mexico City on a tourist visa six years ago with her mother and little sister for a better life, away from her abusive and alcoholic father."

An alcoholic father practically grants her refugee status. Just tell the official at your hearing that you have a legitimate fear for your safety if you return.

For Martinez' mother, breaking a family apart and moving out of the country is justified, as long as she can allege "abuse."

Martinez "has been waiting seven years for her citizenship application to be processed." That means her mother applied for citizenship, got tired of waiting, then applied for a tourist visa, fully intending to stay. Lying on a tourist visa and just staying is immigration fraud.

Larissa complained in her speech about "a wall built on hatred and prejudice," then gave a disapproving shake of her head and brought her hand to her face as if to wipe away a sniffle. She could have talked about how great it was to be in a country that literally turned a blind eye to her illegal status, and offers her unbelievable opportunities. Her adopted country has probably subsidized her food and shelter, in addition to her first-class education.

Instead she made a political speech, and "wants to continue to be active in political movements for immigration reform."

She made boilerplate emotional pleas, such as how she is "one of the eleven million undocumented immigrants living in the shadows," and the treacly "undocumented immigrants are people too."

Larissa proclaimed that she was "living proof that beating the system is possible." By "beating the system," do you mean that there are other forms of fraud you are involved in? Did your mother commit welfare fraud as well? Did you lie on your college applications? Does Yale know you are in the country illegally?

Somewhere out there is an honest, low-income American high school student who received a rejection letter from Yale. Because Larissa Martinez stole their spot.

I hope it is a snowy day next January in New Haven, and President Trump sends a deportation bus just for you, Larissa.