Bernstein writes that today, "debates about immigration often included the claim that 'my relatives came the legal way,' Hom's daughter, Dorothy responded that "'one's status being legal or illegal, it's two seconds apart at any point"

What does Dorothy mean by this?

I was so confused and really couldn't come up with a single logical explanation. I honestly have no clue what Dorothy means!

Any help/ideas?!

Perhaps she refers to the quick judgment made by immigration officers. Or perhaps she refers to the use of forged papers or avoiding immigration officers entirely. What is your interpretation?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/nyregion/30chinese.html

Well, I was thinking maybe it can be a representation of the 2. Dorothy could be referring to the fact that when you look at who is really an illegal or legal immigrant, you can make a quick judgment. We assume that since people look a certain way and just because they aren’t the usual look for Americans, they are immigrants. I guess how I’m trying to word it is, an example: a Chinese person that was born in America. They don’t look American, so people must assume they are immigrants, but really they are from the U.S.A. You can never be sure who is a legal or illegal immigrant these days, they really are “2 seconds apart”.

Does that sound about right Ms. Sue?

Good answer!

Writeacher just reminded me that some Mexican women cross the border to the States, and deliver their child. That baby then automatically becomes a U.S. citizen.

Based on the quote you provided, it seems that Dorothy is expressing her perspective on the distinction between legal and illegal immigration. She is suggesting that the difference in legal status between immigrants is not significant or meaningful because it can change quickly. Let's break it down further:

1. Dorothy states that "one's status being legal or illegal, it's two seconds apart at any point." This implies that the line between legal and illegal immigration status is arbitrary and can shift rapidly.
2. Dorothy may be alluding to the idea that factors such as changes in laws, policies, or circumstances can affect an individual's immigration status. These changes can occur suddenly and lead to a switch from legal to illegal, or vice versa.
3. By saying that legal and illegal status is "two seconds apart," Dorothy could be highlighting the potential for a person's immigration status to be changed swiftly and unexpectedly.

In summary, Dorothy's statement suggests that the distinction between legal and illegal immigration is not a stable or significant indicator of a person's worth or legitimacy. It conveys the idea that immigration status can be highly unpredictable and subject to sudden changes, undermining arguments that rely solely on legal status to judge immigrants.