I've tried to craft a comprehensive post on the immigration issues going on, but it really is too complex to tackle all at once.I'll just start by saying that I prefer a liberalized immigration policy with no respect to race or nation of origin. An African Bushman should have just as much standing as a Englishman, in other words.
I also think that the threat of deportation for misbehavior ought to be real, and not mired in years of legal wrangling and appeals, with very little actual deportation taking place.
I would also lower the bar as to what is a deportable offense to include parents whose minor children(citizens or not) are involved in criminal activity.
Greencards would be issued on a first-come basis. People wouldn't be allowed to jump to a higher priority because their brother or sister is already here. Priority would only be granted to spouses and minor children/dependants.
I would make allowances for certain labor needs. If a farming co-op wants to bring in foreign help, I would allow that. Also, if certain skill sets we have a shortage of what can be found elsewhere, I would allow that, too.
And I won't even entertain the idea of what to do with those already here illegally until we've controlled the borders, and kept control for several years, like maybe 15-20.
A nation requires borders, and borders should mean something. When somebody comes here, they should be appreciative and respectful of those who came before them to build the society they want to be a part of.
6 comments:
You realize that the combination of things you propose would require an unprecedented increase in budget and personnel, right? As long as the default position is that to be here and work requires the state's blessing, this is expensive, corrosive to both economic and personal liberty, and ultimately untenable.
all migration is with the state's blessing. thats what residency and citizenship is all about.
how this is any more untenable than the ellis island years you'll have to explain for me.
If we finally built a decent border fence (it's only what, 50 years overdue?) and invested an extra 10-20% on illegal detection and extradition for a few years, it wouldn't take that much.
I agree we should open up some legal immigration--with the applications to be filed in the U.S. embassy or consulate in the nation of their citizenship. You could watch a lot of people flock back to their home countries for that reason alone.
One addition to Gino's idea; no more visas would be tied to the person's place of employment, as H1Bs currently are. Tying the visa to the employer simply gives the employer too much power over the employee.
How do you become a legal immigrant? Is it difficult? Is it costly? You used to have to have sponsors. My grandparents had to have somebody living here to vouch for them... that I guess they were actual people or something. You have to have permission? A sponsor? Where do you get papers now? Can you become legal on this side of the border or coast? Why doesn't anybody ever mention how butt-stupid a big fence would look? Why complain about an "illegal" immigrant who may be paying taxes on a phony ID with virtually no chance to collect social security later? If your job is taken by an illegal immigrant, is it worse than if it is taken by a legal immigrant? And if your job is taken by any kind of immigrant what are the chances your job sucks to begin with?
Our welfare policies require us to strictly control immigration.
Tightening the border, cracking down on employers, and deportation are all required.
It won't be cheap, but in the long run it will be less expensive than doing nothing.
"And if your job is taken by any kind of immigrant what are the chances your job sucks to begin with?"
made me laugh.
as for sponsorship, i do not know how it went in the past, only that my dad's people needed to provide an address as to where they were headed.
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