The "Problem" of our Southen Neighbors
Mexico isn't just "the country to the south of us", they're our neighbor.
Yes, there's a difference. The difference has to do with attitude and sharing. While there have been a few notable exceptions, our history is mostly one of cooperation and friendship. The United States has become the "brother who made it big", and has tried to do its part to share some of that good fortune with it's "little brother".
Russia and China "live next door to each other". The United States and Mexico "are neighbors". Lately, however, we've been less than neighborly in our treatment of those who come to visit.
When people talk about immigration, they are almost invariably talking about one specific group of immigrants: Mexicans. Irish, Italians, Greeks, Albanians, even Canadians.... nobody cares much about them. It's the Mexicans. Those who have a strong opinion against the presence of Mexicans in the United States fall into 2 general categories: Bigots, and those concerned with costs.
It goes without saying that we'll disregard the former group.
The latter, however, have a valid argument. The argument is based on the concept (perception?) that a large percentage of the Mexicans in this country are here illegally. One side says "they're a key foundation of our economy", and the other side says "they're a drain on our resources". And a large number of people fall in the middle--agreeing with both sides. It's this last group that most accurately describes the situation. Our economy--from agriculture to domestic servants--depends on the Mexican-immigrant workforce. But those workers who are here illegally are a significant drain on our resources, without contributing to the tax base.
While it has garnered significant opposition, President Bush's concept of a "guest worker" program seems to be the best solution to the problem: Allow the workers to come to the US--legally--and then tax their wages just like any other worker. My earlier implications otherwise, Mexicans are different than other immigrants to the U.S. Unlike immigrants from other countries, Mexicans come looking no for citizenship, but for work. We have the work, Mexico has the workers.... why not make it easy to legally combine the two?
My proposal is simple: Make it extremely simple and easy for Mexican workers to legally work in the United States. As I understand it, the application process for work visas is already very lax--only criminals are prevented from receiving permission. So why not take it a step further? Why not actively promote the recruitment of legal immigrant workers? Think about how much the US spends on pursuing, apprehending, incarcerating, and deporting undocumented workers. Now imagine spending that money on infrastructure and social services.
Right now, illegal immigrants pay thousands of dollars to "coyote" to smuggle them across the border. Then they live in fear of the police and "La Imigre". The vast majority of them work their jobs, live in their communities, and cause no trouble. We should make it easy for these people to come here legally. More than that, we should be agrressive in our message. The U.S. Government should actively advertise in Mexico for legal immigrant workers.
Even if we spent the total current budget of immigration enforcement on "legal immigration propoganda education", we'd still come out ahead. Let's make it easy for them to come here. Let's document them and tax them. Let's treat them as a valuable resource.
Our neighbors to the south shouldn't be treated with suspicion and bigotry. They should be welcomed. They should be recognized for all they do for our country, and they should be given the respect and basic services afforded to everyone who comes to this country.
If we stop treating them like invaders and start treating them as welcomed guests, we can all benefit. Isn't that the very heart of the American Dream?
Yes, there's a difference. The difference has to do with attitude and sharing. While there have been a few notable exceptions, our history is mostly one of cooperation and friendship. The United States has become the "brother who made it big", and has tried to do its part to share some of that good fortune with it's "little brother".
Russia and China "live next door to each other". The United States and Mexico "are neighbors". Lately, however, we've been less than neighborly in our treatment of those who come to visit.
When people talk about immigration, they are almost invariably talking about one specific group of immigrants: Mexicans. Irish, Italians, Greeks, Albanians, even Canadians.... nobody cares much about them. It's the Mexicans. Those who have a strong opinion against the presence of Mexicans in the United States fall into 2 general categories: Bigots, and those concerned with costs.
It goes without saying that we'll disregard the former group.
The latter, however, have a valid argument. The argument is based on the concept (perception?) that a large percentage of the Mexicans in this country are here illegally. One side says "they're a key foundation of our economy", and the other side says "they're a drain on our resources". And a large number of people fall in the middle--agreeing with both sides. It's this last group that most accurately describes the situation. Our economy--from agriculture to domestic servants--depends on the Mexican-immigrant workforce. But those workers who are here illegally are a significant drain on our resources, without contributing to the tax base.
While it has garnered significant opposition, President Bush's concept of a "guest worker" program seems to be the best solution to the problem: Allow the workers to come to the US--legally--and then tax their wages just like any other worker. My earlier implications otherwise, Mexicans are different than other immigrants to the U.S. Unlike immigrants from other countries, Mexicans come looking no for citizenship, but for work. We have the work, Mexico has the workers.... why not make it easy to legally combine the two?
My proposal is simple: Make it extremely simple and easy for Mexican workers to legally work in the United States. As I understand it, the application process for work visas is already very lax--only criminals are prevented from receiving permission. So why not take it a step further? Why not actively promote the recruitment of legal immigrant workers? Think about how much the US spends on pursuing, apprehending, incarcerating, and deporting undocumented workers. Now imagine spending that money on infrastructure and social services.
Right now, illegal immigrants pay thousands of dollars to "coyote" to smuggle them across the border. Then they live in fear of the police and "La Imigre". The vast majority of them work their jobs, live in their communities, and cause no trouble. We should make it easy for these people to come here legally. More than that, we should be agrressive in our message. The U.S. Government should actively advertise in Mexico for legal immigrant workers.
- Let them know that it's cheap and easy to enter the U.S. legally in order to work.
- Emphasize that legal workers have nothing to fear from INS or the local police.
- Tax their wages
- Monitor their working conditions, and let them know that they won't be deported for reporting violations to OSHA or other government agencies
Even if we spent the total current budget of immigration enforcement on "legal immigration propoganda education", we'd still come out ahead. Let's make it easy for them to come here. Let's document them and tax them. Let's treat them as a valuable resource.
Our neighbors to the south shouldn't be treated with suspicion and bigotry. They should be welcomed. They should be recognized for all they do for our country, and they should be given the respect and basic services afforded to everyone who comes to this country.
If we stop treating them like invaders and start treating them as welcomed guests, we can all benefit. Isn't that the very heart of the American Dream?