Immigration starts as a dream. A hope for safety, stability, and the opportunity to build something.

Families give up everything they have ever known in pursuit of that hope. This is something that is very personal to me, Jussaine Basilio, but also for Adriana Jayne Soriano, who helped research and write this Community Voice.

I have lived as an immigrant, and my family has emigrated to the United States in hopes that hard work and patience would provide for a better tomorrow. Adriana also has a direct connection to the topic, as she and her family emigrated from the Philippines as well.

Ideas showcases stories, opinion and analysis about Hawaiʻi, from the state’s sharpest thinkers, to stretch our collective thinking about a problem or an issue. Email news@civilbeat.org to submit an idea or an essay.

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Leaving was not easy. I said goodbye to my friends, relatives, and the home where I grew up. My family spent years waiting, saving money, and completing requirements just for the chance to move forward.

When our papers were finally approved, we were grateful. But we soon realized that the immigration journey does not end once you arrive, it simply changes.

The U.S. immigration system needs reform because long delays, high costs, and harmful stereotypes continue to hurt real families trying to build stable lives.

One major problem is how stereotypes shape immigration policies and public attitudes. According to Nayna Gupta from the American Immigration Council, some policies “give law enforcement more power over detentions and deportations without necessarily making our communities any safer or fixing the overall system” and “deny people who pose no threat due process,” which is “unfair and unwelcoming.”

Processing delays are also another serious issue. An immigrant must pass through extensive amounts of paperwork and meet very strict requirements and demands before they could proceed.

While improvements in processing delays have been observed and announced by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, many applicants just wait for their turn for years without any guarantee. These delays disrupt lives and leave families in constant stress.

The financial burden adds another barrier. Application fees, legal assistance, and travel costs can overwhelm families with limited resources. My family began the immigration process before I was born, and it took twelve years before our papers were approved. We spent much of what we had and made repeated sacrifices just to keep the process moving. For many families, the dream of immigration becomes a financial gamble.

Beyond policies and paperwork, the emotional toll is deeply personal. When I arrived in the United States, I was excited but unprepared for how much my life would change. I struggled to adjust, and I was often judged at school because of my accent and appearance. Immigration opened doors, but it also came with isolation, pressure, and the constant need to prove I belonged.

Reform is not just necessary, it is also very possible. Processing times should be shortened so families are not left waiting for years in uncertainty. Application fees should be reduced to make the process accessible to working families. Instructions in multiple languages could help the process so applicants know what to expect and avoid unnecessary costs. Finally, due process needs to be improved so that immigrants receive fair treatment under the law.

In addition, due process protections must be strengthened so immigrants are treated fairly under the law and receive fair treatment. Public education efforts can also challenge stereotypes and encourage people to see immigrants as individuals, not assumptions.

Some critics worry that immigration reform could affect job markets or national safety. These concerns deserve attention, and the system must always remain structured and safe. However, it must be understood that fairness, efficiency, and transparency in the process actually help strengthen the security of the nation as well.

Immigration is not only about immigration policies; it is about immigrant families who come to this country seeking stability, opportunity, and a chance to contribute bearing the burden left behind. They are not asking for special treatment; they are asking to be given a fair chance.

The United States has long been defined by those willing to start over and work toward something better. That promise should not be blocked by unnecessary delays, financial barriers, or harmful assumptions.

We must recognize immigrants the respect and decency they deserve and build a system that reflects the values the country claims to stand for.

We are here because we dared to dream. That dream deserves more than obstacles, it deserves a real opportunity to become reality.