I'm basically neutral on the issue. More accurately, perhaps, would be to say I'm not sure what would be the best way to go on the issue. Illegal immigration is problematic for a number of reasons: it tends to stretch support institutions' resources, it deflates American wages (especially for the working class), it encourages an underground industry of human trafficing/slavery (which in turn connects to the drug trade), and among other security-related issues it may be putting us at risk in allowing would-be terrorists to filter into the country. And I don't really buy arguments that immigrants are needed to do jobs "nobody else wants." Pay them a competitive wage, and Americans would want to do the work. It's simple supply and demand. The trick is people want stuff for cheap, and illegal immigrants make a great source of cheap labor and thus allow for cheaper products. Public figures need to be honest on this count.
I do have to say that slogans like "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us" really resonate with me on an emotional level. Hispanics and the native peoples were part of the cultural face of the southwest long before an artifical barrier was placed in the form of a national border. On a more rational level, I'm not convinced the current direction on immigration policy is the best use of time and money. Spending millions patrolling the borders and putting up fences hasn't done squat to stem the tide. Pouring more money into such measures may not be the best strategy. I'm also not convinced harsh measures towards illegals (such as making them felons) will do anything except make Americans look heartless. It seems to me a more promising direction might include instituting fair trade (rather than free trade) practices which encourage rural Mexican to remain on their land and make a living, and do something to improve the working conditions in the maquiladora slums sitting right across our borders. Working on other cooperative measures with the Mexican government might also be fruitful. Currently they have no reason to get on board. A guest worker program might be the trick, but probably depends on the specifics. It's a tough issue.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2005-12-20 02:12 am (UTC)I do have to say that slogans like "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us" really resonate with me on an emotional level. Hispanics and the native peoples were part of the cultural face of the southwest long before an artifical barrier was placed in the form of a national border. On a more rational level, I'm not convinced the current direction on immigration policy is the best use of time and money. Spending millions patrolling the borders and putting up fences hasn't done squat to stem the tide. Pouring more money into such measures may not be the best strategy. I'm also not convinced harsh measures towards illegals (such as making them felons) will do anything except make Americans look heartless. It seems to me a more promising direction might include instituting fair trade (rather than free trade) practices which encourage rural Mexican to remain on their land and make a living, and do something to improve the working conditions in the maquiladora slums sitting right across our borders. Working on other cooperative measures with the Mexican government might also be fruitful. Currently they have no reason to get on board. A guest worker program might be the trick, but probably depends on the specifics. It's a tough issue.