There have been lots of emotional arguments against undocumented immigrants and now more than ever, in this bad economy. There are some that say immigrants are contributing to the situation, making things worse, or are a strain on the economy. “Many Americans fear that immigrants take away jobs and lower the wages of native-born workers. However, national research shows that this is not true and the fears are unfounded. Alan Krueger, Professor of
Economics at Princeton University speculates that there is a complex array of reasons for this. Some likely factors he identifies are: In addition to increasing the supply of labor, immigrants increase the demand for goods and services produced in the U.S. In other words, they are buying food and other goods for daily living, paying rents and buying all kinds of services. This leads to higher wages and employment for all workers in the U.S.”[1] They use public transportation, which supports cities. Also support and donate funds to their local churches, they contribute to society just like any other resident does.
As an immigrant I understand the discrimination and prejudices that immigrants endure. We are seen by many as coming to the U.S. to get on government assistance, to have children who will be US citizens and then can abuse the system. I have to admit that there are some immigrants who do abuse the system. But there are also so many immigrants who come to the US for a better life, for the American dream, which includes work and education. “Researcher Tarrabox notes that it is a well known fact that many of the jobs immigrants come here to fill are jobs Americans are not taking. And when we prevent immigrants from taking those jobs, American producers and consumers suffer the consequences…Less well known is that many jobs immigrants take are jobs that would have other been outsourced. Nearly one-third of U.S. garment workers are immigrants…if it were not for immigration, we’d likely be importing even more clothing”[2] There are many jobs that some Americans would not be caught dead doing, especially educated Americans, like fieldwork picking or selling food in the hot sun, or working in sweatshops. Working at a fast food restaurant would probably be the most suffering an educated American would be willing to endure. Ask yourself having a degree would you work at Jack in the Box, or cutting the heads of chickens at foster farms? I have relatives who do these things, who pick fruit, and sell oranges. Who are maids and work in sweatshops. My family and extended family is new to this country, and they have worked hard to survive so their children could have a better future and not have to work as hard as their parents did.
What do you think about immigration? I know we all try to be sensitive to the struggles people in the margins endure, but are we really doing something? Do we not look at them sometimes and make assumptions, like they are all from Mexico? Or that all illegal immigrants are Hispanic? Should they be forced to learn English? Do you get irritated when you have to press “1” for English?
[1] http://www.ilctr.org/news/pdf/imm_job_and_labor.pdf
[2] http://www.ilctr.org/news/pdf/imm_job_and_labor.pdf
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I see absolutely no reason why English has to be the one standard for our nation. Stretching to learn other languages could not possibly hurt as badly as people think. German students all learn English because it is considered the language of commerce. Because they learn English well and have two languages, they broaden themselves and their abilities. There is no reason why Spanish could not be an acceptable language for this country. It is a very beautiful language, and I welcome it. The fastest growing population in the country is Hispanic. To view this as a bad thing is to indulge in race hatred and xenophobia.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Yolda Ramirez that most “immigrants who come to the US for a better life, for the American dream, which includes work and education.” You may hear the term “boat-people,” which indicate for Vietnamese refugees. There were hundred thousand Vietnamese people risk their life to come to the United States by boats. But, thanks to American for accepting us to be apart the American. Today, the Vietnamese community has contributed to society, such as education, political, business.... Therefore, I believe that if the American continues to give a change for immigration (legal or illegal), they will contribute back to American more than they receive.
ReplyDeleteImmigration is a really touchy issue for a lot of reasons. One of them is racism. Do you see a wall/fence being built along the border of Canada?
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young, my family used to "go across the line" into Sonora, Mexico. One of the earliest stories I remember my parents telling is when they had gone into Mexico with a Canadian friend with red hair and fair skin. When they asked for ID, my mother happens to have Mexican ancestry but both of her parents were either born in or came to Arizona before it became a state, got her ID out. The Canadian woman was rattled and hurried to get her ID out but the border patrol guy was completely surprised when she handed him her ID. This was in the early to mid-1970s.
The groups that have assimilated, which is taken on the WASP characteristics, and have pale skin have fared better than those people from Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Ireland. It is odd to think about the Irish as not being white, but they, too, were put very low on the social totem pole when they came in. The people from the other areas of the world that I mentioned all went through villification, menial and hard physical labor in order to survive when they came here.
California has one of the most interesting histories on race relations that made national policy. The Chinese exclusion act, forbidding marriage between Asians and "white" Americans, Mexicans being classified white or Latino(Hispanic, Latino/a and other designations came about in the 20th century) according to the political winds of the day. And the famous assumption that every one who speaks Spanish is a Mexican.
What I am getting at is this is a long tradition that needs to be stopped here in the United States. People are afraid. It boils down to fear of the other, especially those who can speak another language. (My experience growing up is that a lot of white people fear they are being talked about and laughed at). The myth that "whites" are going to be the minority population scares them so they keep expanding the group to now include the Southern and Eastern Europeans once rejected.
Truly, if the ethics of Jesus were followed by the population that repeatedly protest, yet claim Jesus and Christianity over and over, the poor immigrants would be welcomed, and we would change the governmental policies in Central and South America that have given rise to the necessity for migration North. The US government has so much to atone for, yet US imperialism has yet to stop. With the protection of US corporations exploiting the land and resources at expense of the indigenous and poor of Central and South America, the true radical notion of actually following Jesus ethics needs to be implemented. However, money speaks a lot louder than justice.
Well put Yolda!
ReplyDeleteThe contribution of immigrants to the local economy and culture is very evident.
But I think one of the most sensitive issues of immigration, is the cultural conflict.
A conflict between the local culture and the immigrant's culture. USA would not be directly concerned to this issue, because the most part of the inhabitants in USA are immigrants.
When we look at the European continent, there we can obviously see the real image of cultural conflicts. For example, when we look at the dominating situation in France, there we can find a big waves of african and arab immigrants where, they keep living, wearing, and eating in their traditional ways as if they still live in their native countries. Like not keeping traffic rules, not keeping the streets clean, not respecting the local traditions and taking advantage of the kindness of local people etc.
As a matter of fact European capitals are no more the same clean, tidy capitals as they used to be 10 years ago.
Therefore when a certain government makes harder the flow of immigrants, it might have more respctful reasons than we think, like keeping the local identity and tradition.
Industrail countries are always interested in different languages in order to find markets where they can sell their goods. But they encourage their immigrants to learn the local language, for the own interest of the immigrant; administrative precedures, banking, business etc.
Therefore the worry of a country for its immigrants, is to see them integrated in the local culture and tradition and not seeing them endangering the local cuture and tradition.
I'm glad that we do have a culture of immigrants in this country. One of the reasons I wanted to live in a city like LA was the amazing cultural diversity, and it's been great to have classmates from so many cultures.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Yolda that immigrants lead to a better jobs for everyone. I've mostly heard the debate about illegal immigrants, and I think we may be looking at that question backwards. People are desperate to come here, for whatever reason, and it seems ethically wrong to send them away if they make it in spite of all the odds against them. Also, if people are resourceful enough to come to the US by half the routes I've heard of, and then to work in whatever jobs they can get for as little as they're paid, I think we ought to recognize and honor their persistence and ingenuity instead of even thinking of sending such potentially productive citizens back to their countries of origin. I also agree with Kathleen that the US government ought to stop any current policies which reduce the quality of life in other countries. Immigrants are our neighbors, who we are to love as ourselves.
America is one of the only countries that speak only one language. We boast of our diversity and the education we have to offer and we speak one language--sounds homogeneous to me.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that much of the immigration problem has to do with racism, we also don’t treat our northern immigrants that well. My girlfriend is a Canadian immigrant and she recently had to replace her Green Card, as it was stolen. What should have been an easy process was not because the people working for the government knew they had more power in this situation. Although she had already changed her name with immigration previously, they forced her to go home and then return so that she could provide them with certain documents from her divorce that never should have been asked for because she had the formal paper showing that her divorce was final and showed her name change from her married name back to her maiden name. After that she was told that she would have to wait 4-6 months for a Green Card. In order to go visit her family in Canada for Christmas, she had to apply for a special pass that would grant her travel to Canada and allow for re-entry to the U.S. for a limited time. Four months passed and she still had no Green Card and her pass had run out but she wanted to go visit her family again. She needed to renew her pass so she had to make another appointment with immigration to extend her pass. This time, the lady was very nice. She thought it was strange that her Green Card had not come so she checked into her situation. She discovered that not only was my girlfriend’s Green Card not on the way, but that the previous employees had changed my girlfriend’s name back to her married name so even if the card came my girlfriend could not use it as it was. The friendly employee that was now handling my girlfriend’s case apologized and said that the government employees from the last trip had to go out of their way to change her name and treat her so bad and also agreed that she never should have been asked for the divorce documents that they had demanded. The friendly lady assured my girlfriend that she would remedy the situation and a mere two weeks later my girlfriend had her new Green Card. Now, I am not trying to say that all Americans are bad people but some people like to assume a false position of power, which often manifests itself in American superiority, and immigrants are often the target.
All immigration is not the same. There is legal immigration and illegal immigration. Legal immigration can be planned for and monitored. Illegal immigration places a strain on economic resources in areas where there are already many competing forces. I think it is all well and fine to say that people come to America to make a better life for their families, but what about the families that get marginalized and pushed out to make way for the newcomers? What about the cities that take the brunt of the influx of people without adequate help from the government which is controlled by the cencus which only counts legally documented people? From my social position, it's not about American superiority, it's about resource competition and adequate social service help for those who are struggling at the low end of the economic spectrum.
ReplyDeletePressing 1 for English isn't making me loose any sleep at night.lol.
ReplyDeleteI do realize that we have a problem with looking down on those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Sadly this kind of self-American mentality has spilled over into the streets and roads of our market places, our work places, our churches, our government, and so much more.
Surely everything must have limitation, however the fact that individuals come to America to have a better life for themselves by working the jobs nobody else will is not a bad thing. We as a country seem to forget the history of how this country doesn't even belong to the dominant white upper class individual. We forget the atrocity that came along with gaining this country by force from the Europeans toward the Natives. Further more, the cruel chronological mess of slavery and segregation in this country also says that we should be sensitive to how we treat all people that have found themselves in America either by force, or by choice.
Yolda- thank you for sharing your views and the experience of your family members. My family also immigrated to the US and I know how it feels to be a part of the minority or to be treated a certain way just because of the color of my skin. I know that my family immigrated to the United States for a better life and the opportunities that were available in the US. Trust me, if things were better in their home country they would not have left. I think the same could be said for immigrants from other countries as well.
ReplyDeleteSo, instead of worrying about immigrants taking their jobs, Americans could focus their energy on helping other countries build better economies and treat their citizens more humanely. It's a two way street. If there were ever a day when people here only made $5.00 for a day's work, then I'm sure we would see US citizens moving to other more well off countries as well.
Thanks for posting on this subject!
ReplyDeleteAs an ignorant immigrant (I came as a baby), I simply came because my father had his own vision (coming to CST!). I had known for a long time I wasn't an American growing up. In the fourth grade at an elementary school in Upland, we sang "I'm Proud to Be an American" as a class. I knew well that I wasn't the American that others were talking about, but, goodness, it was a catchy tune!
I did not realize the benefits of having a legal status in the US until I applied for financial aid with a Green Card. I remember a time when I found out my Green Card was expired for 6 month WHILE applying for a new one. Then I recently became a citizen on 9/11, the day that many attribute to terrorism, immigrants, racism, religious dispute, nationalism, capitalism, etc.
I recently found out that my mother and I were first illegal immigrants coming into the US. I never really had a qualm with illegal immigrants to begin with because they were surely working harder than many other legals in this country. Did somehow being a legal make it okay to oppress the illegal? If "all men are created equal" (by whichever interpretation you would like to take it), where is the equality in treatment here? Yet also, where is the equal work ethic that everyone should probably share, one that believes that you get what you work hard for? Or are we so very comfortable in finding the easiest get-rich-quick scheme that would magically allow us a boom in income?
I do not advocate a rush of immigrants by any means possible; I do hope for a smooth, safe transition from one land to another. However, why is the blame placed on the immigrants who are willing to work instead of the current residents who'd rather very much not? I could only guess what it would be like if one's status and income was solely determined by how hard one works and how low one would be willing to bring down one's pride.
Was not Jesus himself a sort of immigrant? He sure did move around quite a bit. And what about Paul? Was he not a stranger to many lands?
No I don't get irritated if I have to press "1" for English.
ReplyDeleteThose who believe that legal immigrants mainly come to this nation to live off the government system have not been brought up in nations where corruptions is seen as normal behavior by it's people and whose government lets their people starve while they strive.
Most people that come to America want to better their lives and help their families who still reside in their countries. It's easier to stereotype immigrants and give them a bad name instead of realizing that most of them are hard working people that are trying to make a living.
I am concerned with Powergirl's (sorry don't know your name) position. I think that we really do need to address the stretching of resources. As the population of the planet continues to grow our resources are going to be stretched even more. As was already stated immigrants come to American for the American dream but what is that dream really? Part of it, I think, is to have the chance to work and earn a fair wage but another part of the american culture is consumerism and living a lifestyle that is not sustainable. As the population of America grows more and more people are going to be dreaming that non-sustainable dream and believing it is their right to live such a way. This doesn't really address the issue of immigrations but I think it is part of the concern.
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ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I was having trouble posting and the thing went crazy on me.
ReplyDeleteThank You all for replying, I have to admit I am a little surprised that nobody gets irritated when having to press "1" for English. I know for a fact that many American do. One example is my boyfriend who is white, and gets so irritated when he has to press "1" for English. I find it funny that he’s with me and not only am I not white but came to the US as an illegal. But he says that why should he have to do it. It should be English by default and if another language is needed then they should have to press "1" for assistance. I find interesting when he says “they should have to do it not me.” It’s almost like a power struggle. But sometimes, listening to him make his point, I think that Americans feel that their identity is being lost. I remind him how America was created with immigration, then the massacre of natives and stealing of lands. And he always responds that yes that was horrible, but America has also worked hard to create an identity for itself and now it’s being changed, replaced and in some places lost. Huh? Maybe he has a point, but America is a different kind of land I think, not like Europe where they have always had an identity and sure it has changed but there is something about them that stays the same. I see America like the rebel child of Europe and it will change its mind in the blink of an eye if it feels like it. And also open to any and all new possibility. By the way, my boyfriend is not a racist, or a bigot. He was born and raised in the poorest side of San Bernardino; he grew up with interacted and lived with at times, not only the poor, but whites, blacks, and many kinds of Hispanics. So I find it interesting that he of all people does get irritated when he has to press “1” for English.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad someone finally posted a blog on immigration! Thank you, Yolda for having the courage to post such a hot topic!
ReplyDeleteYolda asked at the end of her original blog what people think about immigration. As I've researched the issue for my final Ethics paper, I've found that there is a lot of misinformation, at least here in Arizona, about why people risk their lives to come across our border between Mexico and Arizona and what happens to them once they get here. And as a result of this misinformation, there is a lot of fear. Is it right for people to come into this country illegally? Absolutely not. But I understand at least a little more why they do it. But that's not what I really wanted to address in this response. What troubles me the most about immigration, both legal and illegal, is the way immigrants, especially those who are hispanic, are treated once they get to this country. In the Phoenix area, people of hispanic heritage are considered guilty until they can prove they are innocent...or in this case illegal until they can prove they are legal. This is especially evident with our sheriff...I'm sure you've heard of him: Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He has made it his own personal mission to rid Arizona of all illegal immigrants, and he doesn't care whose rights he violates in the process. I was pleased to hear on the news just last night that the Justice Department is (finally) investigating his office for racial profiling... but unfortunately so many of the people in this state see the investigation as a violation of their own rights. I refer you to a couple of websites that are particularly interesting: check out http://blog.sojo.net/2009/02/18/stop-sheriff-joe-arpaios-racial-profiling/ which is an article on Sojourners.com from February of this year in which Arpaio is exposed for what he really is. At the end of the article, the writer writes: "As Christians, we must speak out against the violation of the basic human dignity of our neighbors, whom Jesus has called us to love. Sheriff Joe once said, 'Do you think I’m going to report to the federal government? I don’t report to them. If they don’t like the contract, they can close it up.”' We at Sojourners think they should, but they should not stop there: A deeper investigation is in order." I wholeheartedly agree.
And yet another website: this one from Arizona Central (the web presence of our major newspaper, the Arizona Republic) at http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PoliticalInsider/52206 This article announces the upcoming investigation (yay!) by the Department of Justice. But take a look at the blogs posted in response. You'll get a flavor for some of what we have to deal with here in Arizona:a lot of hate, fear, and disdain for "the other". There was one response, though that really piqued my interest. Here's what the writer who calls himself "Beckham" wrote: "As someone who has lived in this country most of my life illegally, I am not too concerned about Joe. I am of European decent. I am also college educated, and don't look at the Sherriff as a threat." So here's the rub: at least in Arizona, if a person looks like those who are expected to be citizens (i.e. of European decent, educated, etc.) then even though they are illegal, they don't have to live in fear because (big surprise) law enforcement is not likely to arrest them...because they don't LOOK like they are illegal. So in reverse, if you look like you don't belong here (for example, hispanic) then it's more likely you will be targeted (oops...did I say that?) as illegal. Hmm...sounds like racial profiling to me, huh?
You've probably figured out by now where I stand on this issue, but in case I haven't made myself clear, here it is: immigrants need to make every effort to come to this country legally; but when they don't, that's no excuse for anyone - including (especially) law enforcement - to treat them without dignity. Everyone deserves to be treated with basic human rights, dignity, and respect. The United States government absolutely MUST reform immigration policies, otherwise the existing situation will continue indefinitely. No fence or wall on the border is going to keep people from coming into this country. But until reform has occurred, we need to do what we can to make sure people don't die in the unbearably hot desert of Arizona as they try to make a better life for themselves in this country. We also to make sure that everyone is afforded basic human rights while they are here. We cannot allow our law enforcement officials to run amok in our communities on so-called "crime sweeps" rounding up hispanics (both legal and illegal) under the guise of looking for "real" criminals.
In response to Powergirl's reply...I respect your opinion, but I don't agree entirely. While the issue of resources is critical, I think it's important to remember that even legal immigrants can and do end up becoming illegal when their visas expire and they choose not to return to their home country. I believe this happens more often than we think because I don't believe there is an adequate monitoring system in place. Like many other government agencies, the agency that monitors immigration is no doubt overworked and understaffed. That fact is evident when it can take as long as 20 years or more for an individual to get a visa from Mexico. (See http://www.imdiversity.com/villages/hispanic/politics_law/nam_residency_delays_0706.asp) So I'm not convinced that legal immigrants are not as much of a drain on our system as illegal ones.
Oh...and on the topic of pressing "1" for English: it doesn't bother me one bit...and I have to do it a lot in my day job. While I would like people who come to this country to learn our language, I also understand why they don't or can't...so if pressing 1 for English creates a situation where individuals who don't speak English can get the information they need, then I'm OK with a little inconvenience.
Thank you again for posting this topic. As Christians I think we all need to fight for human rights of both legal and illegal immigrants, and the place to start is the dissemination of correct information.