Faces hardened by war, gaunt from famine, wrinkled beyond their years with countless worries soften with hope at the mention of the United States.

Immigrants long for a life free from oppression, for a place where they can raise their families in peace. This hope pulsated within my parents when they fled Vietnam to Hong Kong and from there to the U.S. nearly twenty-six years ago. Their fierce determination is why I am living here.

I am the daughter of legal immigrants. I am Chinese and Vietnamese. I am an American-born citizen. And I am disgusted with these illegal immigration protests.

Illegal immigration is a simple concept. It's illegal and therefore violates this nation's laws. I am not condemning these illegal aliens desire to be free, to create a better life, but they are committing crimes.

My parents faced certain death in Vietnam. My father would have been brutally killed for being Chinese. Three times they tried to flee.

So my mother and father took their son and sailed on a crowded ship for months to reach Hong Kong. They nearly left my mother on the shore for being pregnant, yet she found her way back onto the ship.

Refugee camps were home for nearly two years. By a stroke of luck, they were allowed to immigrate to the U.S. They suffered instead of immigrating illegally.

Another facet of this conflict is the job situation. Illegal immigrants are stealing jobs from the American people. Many Americans have too much pride to work these menial jobs.

My parents worked countless menial jobs all while attending college and caring for two children. They pulled through and became successful.

These complaining citizens should know that immigrants will take these jobs because they want the American dream enough to do work that may be beneath them. Can these citizens say the same for themselves? Would they be willing to suffer for success?

Are these illegal immigrants protesting out there today willing to learn the language of this country, to suffer to be a proud and legal citizen and not rob from the country they want to call their home?