So we seem to be for the moment embroiled in a debate over what our immigration laws should look like and what we should do about 12 million illegal immigrants in this country. First of all, I would like to address some poor arguments I see being discussed currently.
Poor Argument #1: "It's a national security issue." I hear this one a lot, but I do not believe this is the reason for immigration reform. Politicians use this as a fear tactic to rally support. But, I remember that the terrorists that attacked us on 9/11 were here legally. They had proper identification to get into the country, so securing our borders would not have stopped 9/11.
Poor Argument #2: "Illegal immigrants do not pay taxes." In fact, many of them do. And if they are like me, they over pay their taxes (that's why I usually get a refund in April.) The immigrants working in the country do have social security, medicare, and other taxes withheld. Additionally, they pay sales taxes and gas taxes when shopping or refueling their vehicles. So enough of this "they don't pay taxes" argument. They do.
Poor Argument #3: "If all illegal immigrants left tomorrow, our economy would shut down." While this may not be a myth, I do think it is a poor argument in the debate. What is this argument implying? That employers are underpaying illegal immigrants for the jobs they do? Is that just? Shouldn't we be demanding a fair wage for all people, whether illegal or not? By using this argument, we are basically supporting the exploitation of illegal immigrants, saying it is ok for employers to under pay. That is not a good argument or moral stand to take.
Poor Argument #4: "We should not reward people who cut in front of the line." We created this problem, not the person who came here because we made it so easy for them to. Are we going to tear apart families and send them to the back of the line? Is this compassionate? Is it right to deny the rights of children born in this country by sending their parents back?
So what should we do? Let's be realistic, there is no way that our country is going to be able to round up 12 million people and throw them out of the country. Could you even imagine this happening? But there is this loud contingency that is totally opposed to any kind of amnesty - I think they are living in a fairyland, or they are only seeking political opportunity and not real answers. We need to secure our borders. We need to make sure that people come here legally yes, but we have allowed 12 million people to come here, establish homes, jobs, relationships. Our lack of enforcing the border should not be now improperly corrected by blaming our mistake on people who came here for a better life. We need to help the 12 million illegal immigrants become legal. Let's help them get on the right side of the law. Allow them, those who have been law abiding and working, to become citizens, to not be exploited by their employers anymore, to not have to live in the shadows of American life, but to come to embrace publically the country they have already embraced privately. To maintain America's acceptance of those who are seeking a better life, healthier families, and stronger educations. And then we can address our current laws, which make illegal immigration easy and legal immigration so hard. We, Americans, must correct the problem we created by being compassionate and taking responsibility for our neglect. Sending illegals back to their countries is not the answer. Embracing them as our fellow Americans is.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Poor Argument # 1 I think you are off on this. Do you really think that terrorists are sitting around plotting an attack using the same methods as 9/11? I think people smart enough to plan 9/11 will trick up their next attack. Getting people here illegally may be one way to do it. I can't predict the future so I don't know for sure, but I hate to take that chance. There have already been numerous reports that men of middle eastern descent have crossed the border with the help of "cyotes." Maybe security is quit legit and your empathy for the migrant has clouded your logic.
Poor Argument #2 I think the argument isn't that they don't pay taxes, but that they consume quite a bit more in government resources than they contribute in taxes. Again maybe your logic is clouded by your heart.
Poor Argument #3: I think there is some truth to this one. Still if we secure the border and control the flood of migrants (not saying send those here back automatically) it would solve your low wages problem. The 12 million extra low wage workers increases the supply of low wage labor and thus depress the price of labor i.e. low wages. The more migrants the lower the wages. The less migrants the higher the wages and the higher the cost of goods. This is tough so we need to stem the flow and probably reduce the numbers here, but not all 12 million.
Poor Argument #4: I think I am seeing a little bit of rich white kid guilt in this one. This is more peoples fault than just ours and I would be hard pressed to think we are the biggest culprit. The Mexican government is the number 1 problem and its socialist system and oligarchies that make it impossible for people to move up in class. I see you blame America for its poor and yet more people in America go from lower class to middle class to wealthy than in any other nation in the world. That is why the migrants come and is why I would come if I were in there shoes.
I don't think the solution to the problem is to accept them all as Americans. Many of them only care about what America has to offer them and not what they can do for America. The still believe in the socialist ideas of their homeland. They send their money back to their corrupt homeland. Let's make legal immigration easier if we need workers and make crossing the border impossible. Then let's send back any migrant caught committing any crime and allow those who are here and not causing trouble to earn a guest worker pass, but not citizenship.
This is a good read on this issue. http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/phyllisschlafly/2006/04/24/194910.html
Anonymous - thank you for your critique of my critique. While you cite that my logic may be clouded by my compassion for those who are seeking a better life, I would point out that your logic is also clouded by your belief that everyone from Mexico or a foreign country is a socialist and is simply sending their money to "their corrupt homeland."
My critique of the national security issue is simply that it is only a political argument, not a serious one being discussed by congress. I fwe are honest, this whole immigration debate in congress is really about what to do with Hispanics, and are we suddenly concerned that the terrorists working with Al Qaeda are Hispanic? I believe there are racist undertones, whether people will admit it or not, on this issue of immigration, not as much security fears.
I do not "blame America" for poverty, as you imply, but I do believe we can do more about it, and I believe the Religious Right ignores the issue of poverty.
By the way, in your last paragraph, when you outline your position on what should be done - you are taking what many people feel to be a "liberal" stand on immigration.
Thanks for the comment, I enjoy hearing your thoughts. I would also rather call you by your name then just anonymous, so if you post again, please leave your name if you don't mind.
Post a Comment