Immigrants matter

Immigration to North America began with Spanish settlers in the sixteenth century, and French and English settlers in the seventeenth century. For a century before the American Revolution, there was a major wave of free and indentured labor from England and other parts of Europe as well as large-scale importation of slaves from Africa and the Caribbean. Today, one fifth of the country (almost 60 million)  are immigrants or first generation Americans.

We, therefore, are a nation made up due to migration. What makes America unique as compared to other countries is that the founding fathers expected that as people migrated into the country, they would add to the moral and economic capital of the growing country.

A substantial portion of the Americans are opposed to the continuation of large scale immigration, and want to stop this influx of migrants.  Many of these are old-stock Americans who have all but forgotten their own immigrant ancestors.  Some, distastefully, are recent migrants who want the door closed behind them.  Despite her welcoming shores, America has had a healthy apprehension and views suspiciously anyone who speaks a different language or follows different cultural norms - basically anything unfamiliar.  Therefore, each wave of immigrants have been met with hostility. Overt racism specifically towards non-Caucasians stems from this hostility. Surprisingly, almost all popular fears about immigration and even the judgments of “experts” about the negative impact of immigrants have been proven false by history.

Immigrants contribute to the economy.  This is the group that is able to apply themselves  and increase the federal coffers. Their increased numbers indicates more federal and states taxes paid which in turn relieves the social security payouts to seniors.  In fact, It is a proven fact that immigrants do not cause unemployment contrary to popular beliefs.  Immigrants, legal and illegal, pay close to 2 trillion in taxes.

Immigrants contribute in many other ways.  They add to the social fabric of America. Bollywood Bhangra music (one of the influences from Indian culture) is a staple in clubs and in Zumba routines. Many people have started planning quinceañeras for their kids being influenced by the Latino culture. Don’t people love to break those fortune cookies and read their fortunes? Americans don’t hesitate to eat Belgian waffles, German sauerkraut and Hamburgers.  All of these norms stemmed from immigrant influences.

This is why it is incomprehensible when the commander in chief - the supposed leader of the nation attacks refugees in a speech.  What’s more disturbing is the glee with which you hear the “lock her up” or the “send her back”chants. This is certainly not the Ellis Island sentiment as envisioned by Joseph Bruchac.

We left our land.  We left what made us comfortable to pursue a dream.  We left to pursue an American dream where free speech is valued, where economic freedom could be achieved and where meritorious achievements have the chance to be recognized.  We came, we assimilated, and we contributed to the strengthening of America’s social capital.  We became naturalized citizens.  We proved that we could be trusted because we worked hard.  We paid our taxes.  We contribute to the fabric of this country.

Illegal immigration is a problem. Therefore immigration reform is called for.  It has to be humane while ensuring effective and efficient due process while not placing an undue burden on tax payers.  This is a fine line to walk on and is an issue that has taxed every administration. There have been several attempts at comprehensive immigration reform by each of the recent presidents until now.  

The current administration’s immigration reform seems to be centered around building an expensive and ineffective wall, and chants of “send them back”.  An iconic haunting image that is etched in our minds is that of a father and his baby drowned at our border face down in the Rio Grande. This is not America.  The current administration would rather expand the use of detention centers than effectively process immigration requests. While the Obama administration attempted to provide an umbrella for migrants called “Dreamers” under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Trump’s administration has attempted to end the program until they were struck down by the Supreme Court.

Immigrants are a key to society.  This administration has chipped away at migration opportunities.  This will hamper the future of the country.  This will hamper economic growth and prosperity.  We need an administration that is willing to implement safe and effective border screening; humanely tackle the root cause of immigrants so as to not to cause undue stress on the immigration system. Most of all, we need an administration that will treat humans with respect.  I am confident that a Biden administration will do exactly this.

Thank you for reading.