america
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united states
How do you feel about Immigration?
By dragonstar13
@dragonstar13 (1465)
United States
January 1, 2007 10:49am CST
My maternal grandfather came to this country from Sweden with his brother. Later more brothers also immigrated. The staggered trips were the result of their waiting to get their immigration papers in order.
On my father's side of the family, my great grandfather and his brother brought the family to America escaping the great potato famine. Despite nearly starving, they waited until they too had the proper immigration documents.
My grandfather was so proud to be in America preparing to become a citizen that he he learned English and never again spoke Swedish, forbidding his children to even learn the language.
I understand people immigrating to America to take their chance at the American dream. What I don't understand is why they come here seeking that dream, then demand we make America a smaller version of the country they fled.
Some (not all but a great percentage of the ones I have dealt with)want us to provide interpreters and print all governmental materials (at taxpayer cost) in their language so they don't have to learn the language.
Some demand all the rights and privileges of citizens but none of the responsibility. They use forged documents to get jobs without paying taxes. They rent homes for one or two people then turn it into a boarding house for as many people as they can cram into the space.
There was a recent article in the LA Times (latimes.com) giving statistics on the number of immigrants in California vs the crime rate and use of public services by the illegals. It was quite frightening and supports something I was told by a former employer.
I used to work for the EEO office of a fairly large government agency. The director frequently attended the variouse Chamber of Commerce functions and told me (yes this informaiton is second hand but comes from a reliable source) that the Latino community had an elaborate plan to vote Latinos into positions of power in the government and eventually take control of southern Nevada. At that time, they would make up for all the injustices they and their brethern had suffered.
Kinda scary huh?
I think it is time for Americans to stand up for their rights, to stop being ashamed of having a successful life style. If the immigrants don't like America the way it is, they shouldn't try to change it, they should just not come here. Let them reform their own countries.
8 people like this
20 responses
@snowflake5 (1579)
• United States
1 Jan 07
People have been moving round the planet at will for millenia.
You make a great deal about immigration papers, but passports and papers were only introduced after WW1, immigrants prior to that just came and went as they pleased.
And the land your ancestors moved to was stolen - the main cause of the American War of Independence was Britain's Treaties with indigenous tribes, signed just after the war with the Mohicans, agreeing that they would not expand further, plus Britain's plans to abolish slavery (just before the war of independence, the House of Lords had ruled that slavery was incompatible with English Common Law, and as the colonies were also subject to English Common Law, this ruling applied to America too). The early Americans objected to both - they wanted to steal more land, and they wanted to keep slaves, and they had dis-regard for both the law and for Treaties. The impetus for the war of Independence was evil.
As for the Southern USA, the land was stolen from the Mexicans in the Mexican American war, (a war started on a pretext by America based on a lie that Mexico was about to invade and that "preventative war" was necessary - shades of Bush).
The Latinos moving to the USA are simply moving to the place of their ancestors, and unlike the Americans they are not looking to steal property by force, but to buy their own land back through earnings they make through very hard work in sweat shops, which keep American inflation low. The American economy could not survive without them.
Given America's less than salubrious history, you might at least try to right previous wrongs by being kind to the Latinos who come to your country. You owe them that.
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
1 Jan 07
Some of my ancestors - the Irish ones - came to this country in coffin ships. I would hardly call that moving around at will.....As for slavery, there's some truth to what you say. It was a sad compromise that some of our founding fathers made there and they knew it. They were rebelling against the super power of the earth in 1776 and they knew they couldn't succeed alienating the slave holding colonies. Some of them freed their own slaves and they left us with a method to amend their constitution and correct their mistakes....As far a stealing a country is concerned, that's not just an American thing now is it?
1 person likes this
@cblackink (969)
• United States
2 Jan 07
At the risk of offending someone, I have to say that if I, a native American citizen, decided to move to, let's say, France, I'm not going to go there and demand they provide everything to me in English. I would be very glad to learn their language and understand their culture and make some efforts to assimilate it. After all, if I move there, it's because I want to be one of them, right? When people from other cultures come here, they shouldn't be making demands that we change ours to fit them. Why didn't they remain in their own countries and try to improve things there?
1 person likes this
@dragonstar13 (1465)
• United States
2 Jan 07
I don't owe the Latinos anything. I treat them with respect and courtesy. Then listen to them make derogatory remarks about me and my fellow citizens in Spanish which they think I don't understand.
Part of my job requires me to review income and assets of illegals applying for state programs, trust me they aren't working in sweat shops. Their involvement in the economy does not keep inflation low, it merely taxes our economy and forces us to reduce benefits to citizens to provide for the illegals.
@Ridgydidge (558)
• Australia
1 Jan 07
I live in Australia, we get a lot of non English speaking immigrants come to our country. We are called the lucky Country, & I truly believe that but I do get upset when these people make a choice or due to situations in their own country they come here to live & are not interested in learning our language. We are a multicultural country, (I love the influences brought to us because of this) but people made the choice to come here. I really believe they should take the time to learn the language of their adoptive country. So we are not separated by the language barrier.
@dragonstar13 (1465)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Max1950m
My brother in law was a carpenter for 30 years. He worked hard for a decent pay. About five years ago, he was given the option of taking a drastic cut in pay or finding a new job. The reason? His employer was hiring more and more illegals because they would work for the lower wages. At age 56, my brother in law had to learn a new trade and start at the bottom of the field. This at a time when he should have been getting ready for retirement.
@zeus1a (1046)
• Netherlands
1 Jan 07
But what is America? A puzzle of all nationalities..was there americans (if you take out the natives)before? This is the great thing about this country, everybody from everywhere have moved elements of their countries and try to integrate it, and there one build one nation as they call it from this puzzle. I wish we could do that in europe but we are far well behind..and it needs time to adapt..like sweden, is a great country but with no strong history, or traditions..whereas other countries, like italy, ireland, china they have it..and it takes more for these people to be americanised..in your way..but this americanisation for me..is this puzzle that makes this county no1 nowadays.
1 person likes this
@dragonstar13 (1465)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Yes bringing customs and traditions and adding to the American culture is great. But my objection is those who come to this country because they don't like their home country, then demand we make America just like the country they left.
@Muslimah (811)
• United States
1 Jan 07
Thats what America is made up of diffrent races and ethnic backgrounds. None of us can truly say "WE are the original AMERICANS" if you ask most people they have families mixed with every nationality under the sun. and its been like that forever so its a natural thing people move around and the earth is spacious everyone should have the right to live where they want
@dragonstar13 (1465)
• United States
2 Jan 07
So everone should have the right to live where they want? If I sneak into your house at night or while you are on vacation, do I have the right to trash your house, use your groceries and toiletries, and force you out?
I agree it is natural for people to move around, but if an area is already occupied, they need to abide by the rules of the society already living there, or move on.
@Smith2028 (797)
• United States
16 Jan 07
Great discussion. I am ok with immigration as long as the following are met:
It must be done legally, with paperwork and such being filed properly.
Immigration quotas must be upheld. Meaning we must only let in a certain amount of people each year. This is not because I don't want to let in a certain race, but rather because we need population control and security.
1 person likes this
@karlana (55)
• United States
21 Jan 07
Point blank, for the hear and now, as well as the future of our country:
ALL immigrants should go through the FEDERAL LAWS OF IMMIGRATION, meaning they should comply and folow through the steps to ensure their citizenship to this country. Yes, it will take 7-12 years, but you are doing it LEGALLY. Hopping the border and squatting kids here is not okay. Other countries wouldn't want us Americans doing it in their countries, so why should it be different here.
Being "The Land of the Free" does not mean if you get a free ride here and do not have to abide laws others do follow. It means we have freedom, democracy, and different ways of society than many other countries across the world.
If you are demanding your languages to be supported here, think of where you come from. Do they supply means of translation other than to those who are willing to pay on your country's terms?
Do you supply documentation up and down your streets in your country in both your native language and English?
If I wanted to become a citizen, would your country prefer that I do it by their terms or by mine? Mind you, these terms of mine would be that you are to just accept me by any means necessary. And if you don't, then I shall forge illegal documents. How would your native country feel about that?
My guess at all of the above questions would be the same answers most Americans have - do it legally or go home.
Yes, I understand that MANY business rely on the fact that illegal immigrants are willing to work for very minimal wages because it is way better than what they get at home, and the conditions of working are most times better than back at home. But remember my questions!
Basically, if you are not a native of the US - How would your country feel in the same shoes?!?
1 person likes this
@GlussBrazil (290)
• Brazil
2 Jan 07
Imigration is so important. I think is very good, without the imigration process, the world should not be what it is today. My grandpa came from Portugal and we are now here in Brazil. Without these kind of imigration, the hole America(south, central and north) should be now a "big land"
1 person likes this
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
2 Jan 07
I am from sweden and my great grandmother also moved to america but they also resturned here. although i do think I have some far far away relatives over there.
Here in sweden we have a big problem with immigrattion coz EVERYONE is more or less accepted and the crimes are just going up. I do not think that there is much that we can even do at this time - I wish that the politicians would have atleast tried to see this coming.
Many of the people who has been living here for years do not work, they just live on welfare and they refuse to learn the language =(
1 person likes this
@Chiriac (286)
• Romania
2 Jan 07
I dont think anything should be done illegally. Thats why we have laws about it. I am not saying that I have never broken the law, but everyone should abide by the law. If the law changes then everyone should adhere to the amendment of the law! Simple right?? not.
1 person likes this
@WhatsHerName (2716)
• United States
2 Jan 07
I don't believe all Immigrants do things illegally though I think an awful lot do.
I'm torn about the issue.
I used to know Polish families with grandparents who wouldn't speak English. That's nothing new. What bothers me is when I see so many public buildings and things posting things in so many different languages. They should have to learn English, I would never expect an entire country to try to accommodate me.
A lot of them don't seem very grateful to be here like the immigrants of the past.
I also see America becoming a land of trying to please and take care of everyone and that simply is not possible. We need to get a back bone again.
1 person likes this
@Eskimo (2315)
•
2 Jan 07
I live in a country with a massive immigration problem, (both legal & illegal) my feelings are that some legal immigration is necessary, it can add to the culture and also widen the Gene Pool. BUT it is necessary for these immigrants to adapt to the country, its laws, language and too a certain extent its culture. What is happening is that the immigrants are expecting to get welfare handouts, make no attempt to speak the language, get free healthcare and expect interpreters to be provided free for them, they also expect schools to provide teachers who only speak their language. Some areas are now becoming 'No go areas' for the original natives of the country.
Too many of the immigrants are seeking 'Economic Assylum' in the country whereas only Assylum seekers should be genuinely escaping persicution from their own country - even then some of these are terrorists who then try to impose their views on the new country.
1 person likes this
@amiyami (4)
•
2 Jan 07
You know you right but theres one issue you forget to mention. This is the world, your world , my world. Why must another man claim a peice of this earth for himself. I know its all a bit drastic but we humans need to change the way we think. This world belongs to everyone. Nothing is gona change anytime soon but eventually all humans will realise this but thats gona be near the end of the world.
@frostygrrl (112)
• Australia
2 Jan 07
I'm an immigrant to Australia, from New Zealand and before that I was an immigrant to New Zealand from Malaysia. I think immigrants bring with them a fresh look on life. If they are a legal entity they should have the same rights as everyone else.
1 person likes this
@mcris_styx (21)
• Canada
2 Jan 07
In my point of view, the reason why people have to migrate is that they want to seek a better opportunity and greener pasture to other land. There is nothing wrong with that as long as they abide by the rules and the law for them to be accepted legally in that country. Immigrants are considered as assets & they play an important role in a country's development. My family has migrated to Canada. We are educated people in our own country, however, we don't mind working as caregivers, labourers & other blue collared jobs..we have to accept that it takes time to adjust & more effort to be able to fit in in a coutry that has lots of opportunities offered for their people...we felt grateful that Canadians have opened their doors for other cultures.
1 person likes this
@mamabulldog60 (351)
• United States
1 Jan 07
I applaud you and most americans legal immigration efforts, US govt needs to get outta bed with thug of the week AKA Mexico's current "leader" and shut it down, US would never allow any other nation to invade the country as it has mexico
1 person likes this
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
2 Jan 07
Yes a lot of people went to America from all over the world for different reasons and thinking they were going to have a better life. Oh boy what you have written here is it really right as our country Australia does not allow alot of these things to go on here, and yes I do believe that American should stand up more for their rights but then again the same goes nearly every where today with the coruption that we have with every government department, I do not believe that they should not go to America as they must have other reasons why they go there.
1 person likes this
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
2 Jan 07
It is puzzling why their government dosent strive to make things better for their people so that they will want to be there and feel comfortable .It would also be better if our governments could learn from each other and implement programs that really help the people.
Their government should be more accountable to their citizens. Our government should look more at the reasons why these people dont want to stay in their own country and what needs to be done about it. I am refering to the Border situation .They have rights and should be represented for more humane conditions and treatments in their homeland....
1 person likes this
