Illegal Immigration Follow Up

Reader Anonymous asks me in regard to my last illegal immigration post:

1. Whatever happened to "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me..."?

2. Other than the fact that we have (a) written-down immigration laws and (b) the military, economic, etc. power to potentially enforce them, what is the difference between the situation now where people are coming here without invitation and the situation 5 centuries ago when our ancestors did the same thing?

Great questions!

I assume you're referring to the quote by Emma Lazarus that's on the Statue of Liberty, right? That still holds. America is the land of freedom and opportunity - if it wasn't, why would people from all over the world be trying to come here? Nothing has changed on that score. Anyone who comes here to become an American and contribute to American society is welcomed with opened arms.

The key truly is how they come here, and there are a number of reasons that I'll try to explain.

Back in 1883 when that quote was written, America was a country full of opportunity, but to my knowledge it wasn't particularly wealthy. So, the opportunity was that of working hard and being rewarded for one's work - the American dream. They wanted to join the melting pot that was America, they wanted to contribute to America's prosperity through their own accomplishments, and they wanted the freedom to live, speak, worship, etc. as they desired.

So, what's the difference now, 125 years later? The attitude. As I explain, please keep in mind that there are exceptions. I will be talking in generalities, and I know full well that there are people who don't fall into my assertions. But, generalities certainly have their place in discussions like this, so I will use them.

America has achieved such phenomenal wealth that we are somewhat unique in the history of the world. Many of America's 'poor' are actually wealthy by the world's standards. Poverty in America equates to having just one dumpy car, a cell phone but no land line, and only a couple of TVs and DVD players. This is ultra-luxury for much of the world that lives in TRUE poverty. [I'm not trying to diminish the plight of poor Americans -- which is real, by the way -- but rather to illustrate the relativity of what we consider 'poor' here.]

Combine this with America's tremendous generosity -- after all, who is it that gives billions of dollars to charities each year, aid to natural disasters around the world, etc. -- and you have quite an obvious equation. Nowadays, many illegal immigrants come here to leech off the prosperity and generosity of Americans. Along with that, there is little -- if any -- desire to join America, contribute to American society, or become Americans.

That's the key right there!

I know it sounds kind of harsh at first, but think about it. Remember just a couple years ago when hundreds of thousands of Hispanics took to the streets around the country? They were waving Mexican flags, refusing to speak English, and demanding their 'rights', which were imaginary because the Constitution doesn't give non-citizens ANY rights. Add to that the frequent mentions of 'taking back' their northern lands and other such blatant anti-American comments, and there is no doubt what they want: access to America's wealth, without any of the responsibility.

This may seem like a trivial point, but it has enormous ramifications. It comes down to respect -- or lack of respect -- for America's laws and institutions. For example, if someone is willing to break the law to get into America, how likely are they going to be to follow the law once they're here? Not nearly as likely as those who come in legally. Look at it this way - if there are 15 million illegal aliens (largely Hispanic, though not all) here, that's 5% of the population. Combined with the 15 million or so legal Hispanics in this country, you have a total of about 10% of the population. It would figure that prisons would have about 10% Hispanics, right? That's not what we find - we see something more like 30% Hispanics in prisons, and we know many of them are 'undocumented'. What's the difference? Those 'undocumented' people don't hold any respect for American law, taking what they want by force.

And why would a group of people who comprise just 10% of a country's population demand -- not ask, demand -- that the other 90% accommodate -- not simply tolerate, mind you, but active participation and accommodation -- their language and traditions, when learning English is so plain to success of business and productivity in America? After all, don't you have to be able to communicate with the people around you to assimilate? I believe it is because they have no real desire to assimilate at all. What other explanation is there? The immigrants of 5 centuries ago were happy to work hard all day long, then come home at night and learn English so they could integrate into American society because they respected American traditions and institutions and wanted not only to integrate, but to contribute in their own way. Now, with so many modern conveniences and ways to obtain help in learning, why is it so difficult for today's illegals to do this one task? It is certainly possible, if the will is there. I don't see the will.

I have blogged about all of these things over the past months on my blog - if you want to check my facts, go ahead. They're there, as are more details.

Now, some of the most common objections:
1. You're just a racist!
My Answer: No, I'm not, unless you consider putting Americans first as being racist. If you look at it that way, I'm guilty as charged. I believe that America should protect its own citizens first (economically, criminally, etc.). This has nothing to do with racism, but rather prioritizing.

2. They're a net benefit to the country.
My Answer: No, they're not. This has been proven over and over - look back through my archives if you want the details. Services granted to illegal aliens amount to billions of dollars in net drain on our economy. Health care alone is a problem, as many hospitals have closed because of the high illegal population utilizing its services. And, did you know that Mexico's second largest industry is money being sent back from America? What would happen if we channeled that money back into our own economy? How much better could we do for our own citizens if that money stayed here at home?

3. They do jobs that Americans won't do.
My Answer: Again, that's untrue. A quick example: if illegals make up 25% of the citrus fruit-picking farming industry, who makes up the other 75%? Americans.

4. They're just trying to make life better for themselves and their families.
My Answer: True, but the way they're doing it is similar to me breaking into your house and stealing your stuff to make life better for me and my family. Granting amnesty for entering the country illegally would be like me getting to keep the stuff I stole from you after I got caught.

5. You can't separate families.
My Answer: Actually, you can. It happens every day when American criminals get thrown in jail. Stupid parenting damages children every day, but we should not change the rules simply because the parent is here illegally. Now, that separation is obviously not the best situation, but what's wrong with having the children -- even if they're U.S. citizens -- go live with their parents in their home country? That keeps the family together, doesn't it? Or, the children could live with a (legal) friend or other family member who actually has a right to be here.

6. It's traumatic to deport illegals who have lived here for years, ripping them out of their roots.
My Answer: It's pretty damned traumatic to the victims and families of victims of violent crime perpetrated by illegal aliens. Why do they always get lost in this issue?

The list goes on and on.

Another two points that I find very pertinent is that we are now seeing diseases that have been largely eradicated (i.e. tuberculosis) make a booming comeback. This is because 3rd world illegal immigrants bring these diseases into our country in large numbers. And, don't forget the national security aspect. You'd have to either be a total moron or a willing dupe to not understand how our porous borders present a golden opportunity for terrorists. I've also blogged about this repeatedly - we've already seen terrorists enter the country and launch attacks, not only at the World Trade Center, but other targets as well. This isn't speculation, it's fact.

Aside from terrorism, my point remains: the critical factor here is the attitude, the reason people come to America. Do they want to join America, contribute, and be productive? Or do they want to sneak in, break whatever laws they choose, refuse to assimilate, contribute, or claim any sense of responsibility or respect for America's institutions and traditions?

This is the difference, Anonymous. It's a critical one.

Yes, bring us your tired, your poor, your homeless, and so on...but bring them here the right way, with respect for America, respect for American traditions and laws, and respect for Americans. Without that, it's nothing but trouble.

There's my two cents.