Thinking Through Immigration

I try not to talk politics too often around here, but I'd like to express some ideas about immigration that have been on my mind.  Here goes:

1 - I Think Illegal Immigration Creates Problems

I don't think it's OK to open our borders and let anyone wander in and stay wherever they want in an undocumented manner.  I'm not allowed to live off of the grid, so the same should be expected of everyone who is going to live here.  I think that's fair.  And I don't like to see immigrant families living in poverty because their employers know that they can keep them in poverty since they are not legal citizens.

2 - I Don't Have a Problem with Mexicans

I have to say that, or the racialists out there will send my blog to MSNBC as an example of racist hatred and KKK recruitment.  I don't think anyone should live here illegally, and I don't care where they're from.  Of course, we're talking about Mexicans these days because that's the only economically struggling country that borders us, but my comments have nothing to do with peoples' heritage.  I don't mind if Mexican-Americans outnumber whites in my neighborhood, and that sort of thing has nothing to do with immigration as far as I am concerned.  If a bunch of caucasian Canadians sneaked across the border listening to U2 and talking about their favorite episode of Friends on their way to the Gap would feel the same way.

3 - The 14th Amendment is a Good Thing

I'm glad that anyone born here becomes a citizen automatically.  I think that process cuts down on government paperwork and policing of hospital delivery rooms.  I'm largely in favor of people becoming U.S. citizens, because our country needs people in order to have the resources it needs to build a strong economy.  The 14th amendment means that we have fewer illegal immigrants than we would otherwise.  I don't see the problem with it.

4 - Amnesty is an Unfair and Imperfect Solution - But That's OK with Me

Again, I'm in favor of increasing the number of U.S. citizens.  Is it unfair to grant amnesty to current illegal immigrants and just let them in?  You bet, it is, because there are people doing it by the book who are going to have to wait in line behind them.  It's not a perfect solutions, but it's still the best solution I have heard.  All of those illegal immigrants would become citizens who could no longer be expected to work for low wages and they would no longer be hidden from society.

And, of course, some immigrants are really funny.  We should grant amnesty to anyone who can make SNL funny, again...

5 - A Further Solution Must be Found

This problem is happening because we stopped enforcing the law (or, we were unable to do so), and it needs a solution of some sort that will keep this problem from being a regular occurrence.  Maybe that means we build a stronger border fence, or maybe it means that we make legal immigration easier and less expensive so that people don't have to do it the wrong way.  Either way, I think something needs to change or we will have this discussion forever.

6 - Those Who Disagree With Me Should Try to Change the Law Rather than Ignore It

There are plenty who disagree with me and think that immigrants should not be obligated to have a legal status.  That's fine, we're all entitled to our opinions, but it's not a good solution is to ignore the immigration law and let anyone live here as they please.  That's not a good precedent because it means not enforcing a law that is in place.  If you think that open borders is the way to go then you should lobby the government to change the laws rather than asking the government to ignore them.

7 - Bad Arguments

I hear a lot of bad arguments about immigration.  Here are some things to avoid saying:

"We are a nation of immigrants!"

So is Mexico.  And Canada.  (With the exception of Native Americans, obviously.)  So, what?  This isn't about hating immigrants, it's about the problems caused by illegal immigration.  Let's solve those problems.  I'm all about encouraging immigrants and honoring the words on the Statue of Liberty.

"Illegal immigrants are taking our jobs and some of them are criminals that escaped from Mexican jails!  Let's repeal the 14th amendment!"

That's like saying you want to solve the drunk driving problem by letting the air out of everyone's car tires.  Legal citizens aren't causing the problems so repealing the 14th amendment won't fix any problems related to illegal immigration.  And I'm well aware that people come here just to have babies who will be legal citizens - I might do the same thing with my family in that situation.

"Didn't This Land Once Belong to Mexico?"

Yes, it did.  But I fail to see what this means in relation to immigration.  France owned parts of Texas in the past, but we don't let undocumented strangers wander around our neighborhoods just because they are carrying breadsticks and watching mimes.

"I think you should have more kids to deal with this problem."

I hope that sounds ridiculous to most of you, because I was horrified to find out that some people want to combat immigration by having more children.  This bizarre genealogical warfare is not stemming the tide of illegal immigrants into border towns, nor is it helping those immigrants to live a good life.  It's just a sick way of ensuring that the kids in your neighborhood don't look like Mexicans - and that's unacceptable.

"If we build a wall, people will just come in on boats!"

Duh.  But if you lived in a border town and saw new strangers in your neighborhood every week who outran the Mexican authorities to get into your town, you would appreciate a better fence.  Am I saying that all illegal immigrants from Mexico are criminals?  No, I'm not (but people who failed logic will assume that and try to burn me).  But border towns face an unfair burden in this dilemma, and I can see why a stronger wall would make them feel safer.

"Those people just want a happier life.  Will you deny them that life?"

I would love to see improvements to the quality of life in Mexico.  I don't mind encouraging legal immigration to help, and I don't mind encouraging a simpler immigration process if that's what we need to do (bear in mind, however, that the U.S. does have a friendly immigration process).  But I do grow weary of hearing people criticize the U.S. for building walls and enforcing immigration laws because of the problems that are faced by people in Mexico - I believe that those people are attacking the wrong problem.  If Mexico is such a bad place that people are willing to take great risks to leave it, then the problem is in Mexico and the international community should work to encourage improvements in Mexico rather than calling "shame" on the U.S.

(Of course, depending on who you ask, there are no problems in Mexico.  According to some, it's a fantastic place that is better than the United States in every way.  According to others, it's a terribly impoverished place and it's better to work for $1/hour in the U.S. then to stay there.  I've never been, so I really don't know, but there must be some reason that people are flooding into border states.)

So, there you have it.  I'm sure I'll regret saying this, but let me know what you think.