ANTI-IMMIGRANT ? or RACIST ?

IS THE ANTI-IMMIGRANT RHETORIC 

A COVER FOR RACISM?

“…do your duty. Make more babies… …half the kids in this country under five years old are minorities… …You know what that means? Twenty-five years and the majority of the population is Hispanic...”     a program host on  a major cable news channel,  May 2006

A large percentage of Hispanics living in US do feel that the immigration reform discussion is driven by racism. I would guess that many non-Hispanics also suspect the same. We cannot be sure of what is in the hearts and minds of the anti-immigrant crowd, but lets look at facts –statements, actions- and draw some conclusions. For our country is not the first nation -nor it is the only nation today- attracting an influx of undocumented migrants. Indeed, it is not the first time in our nation’s history we are faced with a discussion about closing our borders.


Let’s look at some common misconceptions:

1.  The south border IS NOT the only, nor the principal, national security border hole. Even if it were possible to seal almost 2000 miles of border, sealing the border would not make US “safer”. However, the militarization of the south border appears to be a great business opportunity, a bonanza even,  for the narcotics smuggling cartels. Almost a dream come true for these gangs! Increased border presence increases the tax-payers costs, and certainly costs more migrant lives. However, recall that all 19 of the 9/11 plotters entered the U.S. legally. A militia would-be bomber was once caught at the Canadian border with a trunk full of explosive material and intending to bomb Los Angeles Airport. These activities would not be reduced by increased border security.

2.  Undocumented immigrants DO NOT drain the American economy or consume a disproportionate amount of social services while not paying taxes. It has long been documented how immigrants generate public revenue that exceeds their public costs over time. In addition, undocumented immigrants are ineligible to receive most social services benefits. Immigrants do benefit from many services –such as public schools- but they also pay property taxes as part of their rent, and do pay sales taxes. When they work with false Social Security documents, they in fact contribute employment taxes WITHOUT any expectation of ever benefiting upon retirement.

3.  Immigrants ARE NOT for the most part taking our jobs. They are mostly taking the jobs we don’t want, and are paid at a rate most nationals would not accept. If you really think they are taking your job, maybe you should blame the employer! Someone is profiting by hiring undocumented personnel at low wages, and it likely is not migrants. We should also note how many of “our jobs” are being shipped out of the US, without much national indignation.
4.  Immigrants DO want to learn English, many HAVE LEARNED English, many others ARE learning English.  That is because everyone knows the key to upward mobility is in knowing to speak and to write English. Second-generation immigrants speak English as their principal language, and this generation is culturally mainstream American.
5.  Undocumented immigrants ARE NOT more likely to commit crimes than American citizens. They may less likely to be involved in many acts of drunk driving, or criminal activity, or deviance, than the general population. A study in California found that in that state, foreigners are incarcerated at a rate half as high as their presence in the population, and only one-tenth as high among men age 18-40, who make up the bulk of prisoners.
6.  Undocumented immigrants ARE NOT trying to vote illegally. My impression is that they would be happy to be able to vote, and once they are granted the privilege, they actually do so in large proportions. Foreigners seem to regard voting as a duty, perhaps more than Americans.

Often the opposition to immigrants is grounded on emotional issues like the above, where immigrants are blamed for everything wrong in the country. When each argument is refuted, all that remains is irrational bias: maybe a mistrust of the new arrivals,  maybe fear about where the country is heading to. Deconstruct the opposition's arguments, and reach your own conclusions about what is behind it. History shows how the nation goes through the same cycle of rejection and acceptance with each new immigrant group, until it is assimilated too.

The requirements to enter this country legally, are biased against the average person, as if this person or his descendants, could not ever possibly contribute to our country’s sciences, economy, arts… Who are this blessed few who are welcomed in?  Perhaps only the well-to-do meet the requirements to enter our borders legally and safely.

A foreigner who does not qualify into a quota or preference category, just has no way to obtain legal permission to immigrate. Those who enter without proper documentation are not allowed to apply for citizenship, unless a “miracle” occurs – like the periodical amnesty.

>>PAGE TO BE CONTINUED<<

acknowledgements:

• ACLU American Civil Liberties Union   Immigration Myths and Facts — January 2008

http://www.aclu.org/immigrants-rights/immigration-myths-and-facts 

• Media Matters Action Network    Fear and Loathing in Prime Time, Immigration Myths and Cable News - 2008