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by Danilito on April 3rd, 2009

Danilito

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Everywhere I read people are against immigrants. The USA was founded by Immigrants, Why are people so obsessed with anti-immigration laws?

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  • by HasntBeen on April 10th, 2009

    HasntBeen

    Basically, people are scared.

    Scared of losing jobs to an illegal immigrant, scared of losing tax revenue to pay for services for illegal immigrants, scared (in some cases) of having the "American identity" diluted by large influxes of people with different language and customs, scared of higher crime, etc.

    Not all of these are completely unfounded: they just tend to get distorted. Illegal immigrants also contribute -- they take low-wage jobs that others won't take, they spend that money in a sector of the economy that needs cash flow, they are generally quiet, friendly, and helpful. Beyond that, they're human beings, and pretty much all human beings contribute something just by trying to be decent people.

    So it's not all one thing or the other, there's a mix of positive and negative things about illegal immigrants. What happens when Americans are afraid, is that tends to distort the perception so that they can *only* see the negative things about the matter.

    Nevertheless, it's clear that it wouldn't work to just throw open the borders and let anybody enter: there are good reasons to have standards for admission and limits on the quantity of people we try to absorb each year.

    I think a "real American" (which is, I admit, an almost insanely provocative phrase) WANTS to share what we have here. They *want* more people to enjoy the economic success, the civil rights, the satisfaction of living in a country that isn't in constant turmoil. It pains such a person to have to keep anybody out... it is done with regret. I wish those things on everybody in every country --- at least when I'm not in a foul mood.

    Comments

    • "they take low-wage jobs that others won't take"
      -
      Actually, this is a fallacious argument. It would be better to put it that the illegal immigrants take the jobs for lower wages than Americans will. They are willing to do the work for less. So, they drive the wages down to where they are the only ones willing to do the work for that price.

      Glenn Blaylock

      by Glenn Blaylock on April 10th, 2009

    • Sometimes that's true. Sometimes it just means that things get produced at a price the market will bear, increasing the richness and variety of products available.
       
      The fact is that we are in a global economy... there's a limit to what can be achieved by putting up a wall around the country and trying to insulate ourselves from poverty elsewhere. And more to the point, there's a certain spiritual bankruptcy reflected in a preoccupation with maintaining our standard of living with no concern for the welfare of our southern neighbors.
       
      It's not all one thing or another -- we need to balance competing concerns. I'm not arguing against border protection, I'm arguing against the tunnelvision which sees only one side of the discussion.

      HasntBeen

      by HasntBeen on April 10th, 2009

    • Personally, I am not advocating putting up a wall in that I don't want people immigrating. My objection is to the uncontrolled immigration of people of unknown background and unknown intentions. I would love to see a process put into place that makes it easier for honest people to come here while keeping out those who are only interested in causing harm to our country and people. However, as long as people keep flooding over our borders without any concern for the legal process we will never be able to put such a system into place.

      Glenn Blaylock

      by Glenn Blaylock on April 10th, 2009

    • Agreed... it is much better to have a legal process and to know (and manage) who enters. The ugly spirit that this topic often produces is a symptom of deeper issues of values and character in those doing the screaming: that's my real point. It's important to try to help Latin America improve their own societies and economies to reduce the "pressure differential" that pushes people north. It's important to expect others to respect our border. It's important to take care of American citizens in the sense of improving the unemployment problem. It's important to to share our wealth without bankrupting ourselves.
       
      Only a clear mind has any chance of balancing those competing concerns. That means: free of prejudice and hatred, free of absolutist ideologies on any side.

      HasntBeen

      by HasntBeen on April 10th, 2009

    • Hi, Glenn! I can tell you from peresonal experience that IS the truth.....Americans won't shovel out the stalls of a barn for $60 a day, period. But that's what my husband did all winter long. THey have never once had any one other than a hispanic willing to accept the job. ANd it isn't an isolated incident. We've been trying to get hubby legal since 2005. We still have a little less than a year to go. The system is beaurocratic as hell on this side of the border and corrupt as hell on Mexico's side. Had we married before 9-11 we never would;ve had this problem. But we simply didn't know that door would close, and we married 2 months after 9-11 happened.

      Phillis - Zacks little sister

      by Phillis - Zacks little sister on April 10th, 2009

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