Immigration – Legal or Otherwise

It appears Europe has its own immigration problem. For awhile there it seemed as though all eyes were on the USA and its porous border with Mexico. To be assured illegal immigration across the Mexican border with the US is not just Mexicans; no, it is South and Central Americans as well. It seems many believe the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, their fence.

And it probably is greener. When despots and tyrants run a country into the ground and maintain their power by demonizing the least of their own countrymen, those dominated seek freedom. Anywhere they can find it.

America’s brand is freedom. Not that we are perfect at it; far from it! But we seem to have more of it than other nations. So we are a haven sought by those with little or no freedom. Not many people are seeking refuge in China, Russia or African nations. 

I wish we Americans took more pride in the fact that our nation is revered as a place of refuge. That’s a good thing. It means more is going right here at home than we give it credit for. Hooray for us, er US!

Yes, for years Poles have sought economic opportunity in Germany, France and Italy. They have found some of it, but not enough. They have also found discrimination and inhospitable communities. Not as much in America. Chicago is the largest community of Polish people outside of Warsaw. They are at home in Chicago. They are welcome here, as they should be.

America is the home of the immigrant, whether refugee, legal or illegal. They know America has become home for generations and generations of foreign peoples. Not always were they welcome or easily assimilated, but they were eventually. Along the way they taught Americans how to be better hosts and accept diversity in each fresh wave.

If we took the time to consider the benefits of immigration, we would embrace newcomers better. Consider these benefits:

• Immigrants work for lower wages as they begin working career in their new country
• Wage and salary inflation is contained as a result of immigrant labor
• Many jobs of menial nature go begging for applicants; Americans are loathe to scrub, clean and do menial tasks; immigrants willingly fill the gap
• Agriculture needs hand labor to pick crops and perform seasonal labor on ranches and farms; not enough Americans are willing to do this work so seasonal bands of immigrants roam the country performing this valuable service; food prices are contained as a result
• Immigrant workers pay FICA taxes thus easing finances for Medicare and Social Security; if they move on to other countries they don’t remain in the US to claim benefits; these two benefit systems reap the gains
• A growing labor pool always eases the finances of Medicare and Social Security; other pension programs, too; immigrants provide growth in our labor pool, well above the natural growth of our population due to birth rates
• Our culture has always been a blend of nationalities from all over the globe; new immigrants provide the fresh ingredients to our ‘social stew’ reinvigorating it and adding spice! Our collective world view is thus stronger and more knowledgeable than nations which experience low or zero growth
• Immigrants provide genius perspectives on many fronts; new math, science and educational vigor result from well educated immigrants. Check out enrollments at American universities and colleges; note the burgeoning numbers of Asian students in science and engineering curricula
• Immigrants provide Americans with internal competition to excel; left alone we grow flabby and lazy. Immigrants awaken our abilities!
• Arts and history are enriched by our new citizens as well; they come from nations where such is valued more than here in America. The cosmopolitan/world view of immigrants enriches our life and understanding of the world community 

I will stop here. Enough is said. Immigration is a positive force in America. For those who doubt, re-read the bullet points above. If still in doubt, question your own sense of self satisfaction and ponder the need to refresh your own core beliefs. There is a lot going on in the world and it is not all bad. Different and challenging, yes; bad, no!

America is an action center for this fresh revolution. We can either be a part of it and benefit accordingly, or we can fight it and dwarf our own opportunities.

Which will it be? Frightened protector of our borders? Or welcoming embrace of a host and hostess looking to make new friends?

September 15, 2015