TOW #6- Immigration in the Kitchen (non-fiction)

"Barbecue with a side of reform," an article written by staff writer Michael Matza for the Philly Inquirer, focuses on the immigration issues that our country faces, and how it impacts over 500,000 kitchen workers.  Matza is a two time Pulitzer Prize winner, who also is a veteran foreign correspondent who was based in the Middle East.  His vast knowledge of immigration is why he is one of the only writers that just focuses on immigration.  At a time in our country where immigration is one of the leading issues, this front page article could not be more prevalent.
In the article, Matza focuses on the restaurant Barbacoa, and speaks with owner of it Ben Miller.  Miller's overall goal is to create a better opportunity to live in the US for those illegal chefs that work just as hard as anyone else, and Mazta channels it for him.  Matza uses facts and inspiring anecdotes from Miller's life to show how illegal immigrants working in the kitchen only do good to benefit society despite their reputation of being drug dealers and tax evaders.  Matza quotes highly respected former governor of New York Michael Bloomberg, who once said "Our businesses broke the law by employing them (illegal immigrants), but our city's economy would be a shell of itself had they not, and it would collapse if they were deported" (Matza A7).  Coming from Bloomberg, this quote directly speaks on the huge positive impact that these hard working chefs and busboys provide to the American economy.  As well as facts, Mazta tells inspiring anecdotes from chef Ben Miller's life.  Ben is married to immigrant Cristina Martinez, who is also a head chef at his restaurant.  Years ago when Martinez was attempting to come into the U.S, she was caught by border patrol and cited.  Due to this, she cannot possess a green card; if she wants to go back to Mexico to visit her family, she can only return to the States illegally, by paying smugglers up to $8,000.  Mazta includes this story to show that the majority of immigrants that are working in kitchens mean absolutely no harm, yet they cannot see their family back home in any easy way.  This provides a feeling of pity in the audience, furthering his appeal to pathos.  Matza successfully utilises these devices to prove his purpose, as him and Ben Miller have started an upcoming movement in the restaurant industry to improve immigration laws for those coming outside the U.S that want to work in restaurants.