"While conservatives like Steyn call for a display of this confidence in reaction to controversies like the "cartoon jihad," it is they who lack confidence in our civilization’s ability to absorb and assimilate immigrants. This was honestly confessed in a March 30 column by Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal, in which she wrote that opposition to immigration springs less from "fear about 'them'" than from "anxiety about us."

"There is a grain of truth to this fear about the failure to assimilate immigrants. The phenomenon of "political correctness" and the corruption of the teaching of American history in our schools—most notably, the attempt to portray slavery and racism, not the fight for liberty, as the essence of our history—are real threats to the process of assimilation.


"But the issue of political correctness only incidentally connects to immigration. If the ability of our culture to induct people into the values of our civilization is in doubt, then 11 million illegal immigrants are a relatively small problem. What we really ought to be worried about is a group of 75 million people who desperately need to be assimilated into America's culture of individualism, taught the essential facts about America's history, and encouraged to appreciate the virtues of our political system.

An interesting take on immigration; for the whole story follow the link.

The Intellectual Activist

Dark_crow

Tom, I would never question your sincerity. But that comment has also been used by those lawmakers who want to stop immigration entirely, or limit it to families of existing immigrants.

It has been argued that quotas created illegal immigration

“Here's how hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants—mostly Europeans—became legal:

• The Registry Act of 1929 allowed immigrants who arrived before 1921 but had no record of their admission to register retroactively, for a $20 fee.
• From 1935 to the late 1950s, to keep families together, tens of thousands of Europeans unlawfully in the U.S. were allowed temporarily to go to Canada and reenter the States legally as a permanent resident.
• In 1940, Congress authorized the suspension of orders of deportation in cases of hardship, which it defined as "serious economic detriment" to the immigrant's immediate family. The guidelines have become less generous, but the principle remains in the law.
“In 1965, the U.S. repealed racial restrictions against Southern and Eastern Europeans and Asians, but the 1965 law also imposed quotas for the first time on Western Hemisphere countries. That created illegal immigration from Mexico and Central America.
The 1986 immigration reforms addressed the problem by legalizing nearly 3 million undocumented workers. It also called for increased enforcement—which didn't stop illegal immigration, it just made it more dangerous.”

How Grandma Got Legal

tomder55

DC

Open immigration may have made sense when we were trying to settle a frontier . WE gave away land back in those days. But now I think the reality is that we should be selective in who we allow in. Yes ;I would give preferences to the Albert Einsteins and Ayn Randsthe Indian computer programmers ;the highly skilled workers.

Yes there is also room for the Mexican day laborer also . But why should the ones who cross the border illegally get preference over the family who tries to do it legally ? Streamline the process ;no problem . But I would not give another blanket amnesty like the 1986 one again until the government proves they are serious about border control. They fooled us then .We won't get fooled again.

My great grandparents on both sides went through Ellis Island. Which means before they stepped foot on the mainland the government had a name registered and some kind of health screening performed .

Dark_crow

Well of course there has to be some control over immigration; but for the poor hiring an attorney is out of the question. All the effort seems to be pointed at keeping people out, rather than making immigration easier.

In the past seven months only 69 people from Iraq have been granted refuge in America; while hundreds of thousand would have liked to immigrate out of a situation we created there.
“President Bush, determined to stay the course in Iraq, has never spoken publicly about the problem of what is happening to Iraqis loyal to the Americans but caught in the deadly crossfire, first, from the insurgency and now a civil war. He has never spoken of our responsibility to help them.

“Last year, a cable from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was leaked to a reporter, revealing the U.S. has no contingency plans to help Iraqis if there is a withdrawal. Apparently, we learned little from the evacuation of Saigon. Even Iraqis who have been physically threatened for helping top U.S. government officials or translating for the military are not being given visas.

Iraq refugees find no refuge in America

tomder55

That is a completely different subject . I agree we should take in refugees ;although with the progress being made I feel many of the refugees will be turning around and resettling in Iraq again .

Essays: 'Mission accomplished' by Bartle Bull | Prospect Magazine October 2007 issue 139

Dark_crow

I agree, it appears a successful Democracy has been established, but that does not have anything to do with immigration and the past four and a half years of America not alloying Iraqis visas. It is however another example of a failed immigration policy as well as a failure to stand behind those who we encourage to fight for liberty.

nicespringgirl

The conservatives in this country just want to see immigrants enter here legally!
I am an immigrant, I came here legally. It was hard to move to this country to be honest with you. Why? Too many ppl want to come! Why? Because it is the most powerful country the land of opportunities. Many ppl abuse this country by doing ANYTHING THEY WANT TO DO WITHOUT A MORALITY GUIDE OR LAW.
It is very reasonable to enforce the law on immigration. You do need to check the background the immigrants and collect evidence of support they've got. You don't come here steal jobs away from Americans coz you have comparative advantage on saving labor cost. And Americans don't pay any less towards legal immigrants, if you have a good degree and strong work ethics, they treat you fair!! Thank America!
Most Americans I have met are very good people with an openning mind, there are a few not like that in the website though...
Americans love it when someone comes here LEGALLY.. They love an underdog story, they love to see people come here and become part of America, make some money and live a good life.

It only reinforces what many Americans believe / want to believe, that our society offers everyone a chance if they just want to work for it. I say come legally, make a million dollars, contribute to our society and embrace the American dream. We love it.

Dark_crow

What is ppl, and how do you pronounce it? Is that American English?

EDIT: Most of the terrorist here came legally too; and whose morality guide?

magprob

That is without a doubt the biggest wad of crap I have ever heard! Why don't you invite them all over to your house and tell them they need to just go for it because no one, in America, will do it for them? Like my Irish fore fathers did.

nicespringgirl

ppl=people, short form.

Morality guide is a system of rules that modifies our behaviour in social situations. (I am not talking about religion)

It's immoral to steal, to cheat, to lie and to talk bad about others...many many...
Being immoral doesn't necessarily mean you break the law, but it is harmful to others.