responds 6

This is a three-part discussion activity.

1. Post your comments on the following questions:

· Should we remove all barriers to immigration into the United States? What would be the outcome?

· If we could let in an extra hundred thousand immigrants every year, should we favor certain immigrants over others? Why?

2. After posting your responses to the above questions, read the article at the web site indicated below:

Impact of Immigration on a Different America ( http://www.cis.org/articles/1999/sac2-2-99.html )

3. Make another post regarding your previous views. This post should be a thread or response to your original post. In your response, address the following:

· Have your views changed?

· Do you agree or disagree with the article?

· Is there a relationship between immigration and U.S. labor productivity? Why?

Respond to this… I do not favor removing the barriers to immigration in the United States.  If we as a nation were to do this, I feel that there would be an overload of uneducated, unskilled, and less needed (for society) individuals.  I am not claiming that immigrants are any of those things as a whole but there certainly is a majority that would be a burden to our society.  Yes there are a great deal of people who have immigrant backgrounds that became great people within our societies and big contributors to our nation.  However, immigrant families are generally taken into jobs that are of lower income because of their (often times), lesser education level.

Taxes are paid more by higher status individuals in society while the lesser class (lowered paid workers) contribute to more of the consuming of goods and services in our country.  Put this into effect for more people over a period time and there will not be enough money for the rich to pay in order to keep up with the consumption of the lesser paid individuals.

I do not think we should increase to another 100,000 immigrants being accepted per year.  I think the selection process should be in place to ensure that families are coming to our nation as contributors and not just consumers.  I am all for immigration, after all our country was built on the backs of immigrants.  But, I think times were different in years past and these days the need for cheaper labor for construction or railroad working is not in as high of demand.  This leads to more out of work unskilled, uneducated immigrants looking for work and places to live.

The flip side-

Immigrants who come into our country that are of higher education come ready and able to work.  This is a bonus to our nation because the U.S. gets to reap the benefits of the immigrants education that the immigrants home country footed the bill for.  I think our immigration policy needs to have more of a business mindset to it so that we are letting in people who can assimilate as well as contribute to our nation.  We have a great nation but in order to keep it, we need to hold on to our way of life.  This is why I suggest people who are willing to assimilate.

Surely a person can have pride for their homeland, just don't wave your flag claiming your country is better than America.  If it is so much better, go back.  Again, I am 100% for immigration.  Just not for handouts or easy rides for others to drag down our nation.  So yes, I think we should favor some immigrants over others.  Allow more people who can come educated or show that they will be a benefit to our nation.  With that said I'll add that I think there should also be allowances for some who may not have the education but are indeed ready to work and contribute.