Immigration Rant - Part I

Let it never be said that I am always on time to an argument, and in this case the national argument about “Immigration”. There are countless columns and pontifications to be found in newspapers, weekly magazines, on TV and in the blogosphere. For many like myself it can be an uncomfortable conversation because of the fear of being labeled racist, insensitive, xenophobic and any number of defamatory adjectives. More realistically it is the possibly the loss of friends who’s heritage is Hispanic and have an opposing viewpoint will dampen open discussion.

First, this national argument for the most part is mischaracterized as being about “Immigration”. The information purveyors, the Chicago Tribune for example, frame the debate as one of “Immigration” when the real issue is and always has been illegal immigration. They and others who seek to frame the debate this way, should take notice of the hundreds of thousands of Mexicans that flow across the southern border at points other than normal entry points into the country, through the back door so to speak. Moreover the lack of intellectual honesty in the debate is exhibited by those who would rename those who flout our law as “undocumented workers” when in truth they are illegal trespassers. Thomas Sowell, in a brilliant piece points out that, “We can't even call illegal immigrants "illegal immigrants." The politically correct evasion is "undocumented workers”. Do American citizens go around carrying documents with them when they work or apply for work? Most Americans are undocumented workers but they are not illegal immigrants. There is a difference.” You should read the entire piece here and then Part II here.

Many would characterize my political posture on most issues as conservative. Those who are a bit less charitable would describe my views and convections as being to the right of Attila the Hun. I can accept either assessment but not withstanding those descriptions let’s get one thing straight, I do not oppose immigration. Neither do the overwhelming majority of Americans who share my views, or I theirs, oppose immigration. Our view is extraordinarily simple, if you want to live in America, become an American, you must come in through the front door. How racists, xenophobic or nativist is that? Our nation, our culture our very being is made richer by the addition of peoples from all over the globe. Illegal immigration works against this richness in that it forces those who arrive here though the back door onto islands of isolation and into communities of people who don’t seek to join the society at large because they have flouted the law. They live in communities that are in America but not part of America. You can seem the same phenomenon in the gangs that seek to establish their own sovereignty in the inner cities.

There are a number of observers, pundits, yes even academics that claim we are a land of immigrants, a view that I don't support and will take on in a later post. That said, it should be noted that my forbears were immigrants who came in through the front door in the mid 19th century to start a new life, to ensure that their posterity would enjoy the freedom not available in their native countries. For those who are interested, that would be France and Germany. Going further back, there was one forbearer who took a slightly different route and came here as an agent of King George III. He was a Hessian solider who at the end of our hostilities with the mother country decided to throw his lot in with those were formerly his adversaries. So to repeat, and I hope I am not protesting to much, immigration is a positive and maybe even a necessary event that will continue to invigorate our dynamic culture.

Uncontrolled and illegal immigration will clearly put us on the path to oblivion, fostering geographic balkanization and tribalization, where ones ethnicity is the defining attribute. No longer will you be an American, but you will be a “Fill in the Blank”-American who seeks commerce only with those who are his or her tribal brothers and sisters. Ask yourself one simple question, is this the direction you want this country to go?

Check back later for Part II.