Wrangor
Go Deacs
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2011
- Messages
- 12,413
- Reaction score
- 1,376
I know this is probably a fool's errand, but I would love to have a formative and balanced discussion on our immigration policies that don't demonize opposing positions. I don't know how many of you subscribe to the Wall Street Journal, but there is an excellent article discussing the issue, in particularly observing the rising number of family arrests, and families seeking asylum as opposed to single males jumping the fence. The article did a good job of not taking an opinion, but merely observing the facts and statistics and reporting on them. I would copy it, but it is behind a paywall.
My opinion on this subject doesn't really fit into either party's platform, because I believe both sides of our current system are extremely flawed. We need an airtight border. I don't think that looks like a wall, but we have to figure out a way to stop the inflow of illegal immigrants. At the same time, or possibly even prior to a strong border, we must streamline our legal immigration process. It is far too difficult to come to the States to work, and far too difficult for productive immigrants to become citizens. To be honest, I feel immigration will be a weather vane for the two parties over the next 20 years. Neither party has made a serious attempt to fix the issue. Both are using the issue as a wedge to drive votes. Democrats are playing on naive sympathies and demonizing the right, and Republicans are playing on unrealistic fear and demonizing the immigrant. In both scenarios there is truth to be found in the accusations, but in both scenarios there is a mountain of falsehood.
Does anyone on these boards work in this field, domain? Whenever this conversation comes up with conservative friends of mine, I always make the claim that the Republican party is shooting themselves in the foot with their immigration policy. Our illegal immigrants on the southern border are dying to vote conservative if the Republican party would just get out of the way. They are a deeply religious, familial, bootstraps culture who value work (this is a massive generalization, but there is a reason that illegal immigrants primarily find work in construction, janitorial, and agriculture. Obviously employees are easier to 'hide' in these fields, but it is also difficult work that citizens often don't want to do). In my opinion a streamlined immigration party that emphasizes legal immigration, and makes it easier to legally come to the States would not only be good for the USA, but great for the Republican party if and when some of these immigrants became citizens.
I have recently become friends with a couple who is here from India, they are on a work visa, and the company they are working for is helping them gain their citizenship. It has been fascinating to discuss American immigration policy with them. The most startling enlightenment for me is just how much they appreciate the USA, and even our immigration policy. They are just happy to be here, and the husband is an EXTREMELY smart electrical engineer for a local manufacturing company (that part isn't surprising, just mentioning it to state that this couple on a macro scale is a huge net positive for our country). I think I expected some condescension towards Trump, or his rhetoric, but pretty much, Elvin and Rince (my two friends) have an appreciation and understanding for why Trump is pulling the reins. Again - this does not fit the narrative that most Republicans would spout even for immigrants coming legally to seek employment and a better life.
I would love to learn more about specific policies that are in place that aren't helpful and try to maintain a civil discourse that isn't overly politicized. Any chance we could pull that off and have ONE good thread on this boards that is informative rather than a pissing contest? Will we ever be able to revert back to a gentler, kinder, informative boards? Or are we stuck in troll-ville forever?
My opinion on this subject doesn't really fit into either party's platform, because I believe both sides of our current system are extremely flawed. We need an airtight border. I don't think that looks like a wall, but we have to figure out a way to stop the inflow of illegal immigrants. At the same time, or possibly even prior to a strong border, we must streamline our legal immigration process. It is far too difficult to come to the States to work, and far too difficult for productive immigrants to become citizens. To be honest, I feel immigration will be a weather vane for the two parties over the next 20 years. Neither party has made a serious attempt to fix the issue. Both are using the issue as a wedge to drive votes. Democrats are playing on naive sympathies and demonizing the right, and Republicans are playing on unrealistic fear and demonizing the immigrant. In both scenarios there is truth to be found in the accusations, but in both scenarios there is a mountain of falsehood.
Does anyone on these boards work in this field, domain? Whenever this conversation comes up with conservative friends of mine, I always make the claim that the Republican party is shooting themselves in the foot with their immigration policy. Our illegal immigrants on the southern border are dying to vote conservative if the Republican party would just get out of the way. They are a deeply religious, familial, bootstraps culture who value work (this is a massive generalization, but there is a reason that illegal immigrants primarily find work in construction, janitorial, and agriculture. Obviously employees are easier to 'hide' in these fields, but it is also difficult work that citizens often don't want to do). In my opinion a streamlined immigration party that emphasizes legal immigration, and makes it easier to legally come to the States would not only be good for the USA, but great for the Republican party if and when some of these immigrants became citizens.
I have recently become friends with a couple who is here from India, they are on a work visa, and the company they are working for is helping them gain their citizenship. It has been fascinating to discuss American immigration policy with them. The most startling enlightenment for me is just how much they appreciate the USA, and even our immigration policy. They are just happy to be here, and the husband is an EXTREMELY smart electrical engineer for a local manufacturing company (that part isn't surprising, just mentioning it to state that this couple on a macro scale is a huge net positive for our country). I think I expected some condescension towards Trump, or his rhetoric, but pretty much, Elvin and Rince (my two friends) have an appreciation and understanding for why Trump is pulling the reins. Again - this does not fit the narrative that most Republicans would spout even for immigrants coming legally to seek employment and a better life.
I would love to learn more about specific policies that are in place that aren't helpful and try to maintain a civil discourse that isn't overly politicized. Any chance we could pull that off and have ONE good thread on this boards that is informative rather than a pissing contest? Will we ever be able to revert back to a gentler, kinder, informative boards? Or are we stuck in troll-ville forever?