| Human Dignity Advocates |
"Intolerance is the wrong way to reduce illegal immigration" Published: June 03, 2006 By Kathleen Paterno / Bulletin guest columnist |
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Illegal immigration is the current political issue alienating families, friends and neighbors. In large part, people's emotionally charged opinions indicate a lack of understanding of some essential facts and the sources of the problem. Two recent letters to the editor illustrate some
common and destructive misconceptions. One writer stated that "there is a way for immigrants to come to our country the right way" and urged us to "support our current laws" and "make them stronger if need be." The fact is, our legal immigration process is governed by a series of patchwork laws that are extremely cumbersome and restrictive. Except for the Native American population, the rest of our ancestors came to this country for the primary reason of making a better life for themselves. This is no longer a valid reason. You cannot immigrate to this country simply because you want to. You may get in line, however, if you meet one of the following three criteria: 1. You are able to prove that you are being persecuted in your own country and wish to seek asylum. 2. You have a close relative (spouse or parent) who is an American citizen. 3. An employer in this country applies on your behalf and can prove that your skill or profession is in short supply. Because persecution requires an unrealistic amount of evidence to prove, and because our country is fairly rich in skilled labor and professionals, practically speaking, most applicants (two-thirds) can enter the country legally only if they are sponsored by a spouse or parent who is a U.S. citizen. It is our country's legal immigration procedure that must be reformed. The process is confusing, complicated, very costly and takes many years to complete. The required FBI name check alone is one step that currently takes up to three years. President Bush's immigration solutions include "launching the most technologically advanced border security initiative in American history," which will incorporate "motion sensors, infrared cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles to prevent illegal crossings." Why, I ask, is it beyond our capability to implement immigration policies to improve the process of legal entry and begin to document those who are already here working? Another writer to The Bulletin, who was far more emotional and intolerant, suggested retaliation against Mexicans by boycotting their businesses to show that "America cannot be intimidated." I trust that our community has more compassion and a greater understanding of the issues than that. However, the writer did express one common misconception that I often hear repeated - that illegal immigrants do not pay their way. In the United States, our taxes pay for social services and education. If working immigrants (legal or otherwise) receive a paycheck, then they pay taxes the same way everyone else does - through payroll deductions. And you can rest assured that all landlords pass the cost of property taxes on to their tenants. The only illegal immigrants who may not be contributing to our tax-based economy would be those working for employers who are exploiting their labor and paying them "under the table." These employers are the real lawbreakers. These are the businesses that should be boycotted, not the businesses of Mexicans who are making an honest living. A point that is often missed is that the Latino people who come to the United States would prefer to stay and live in the country of their birth if they could survive there. Desperation is the main reason that they want to leave. They are desperate to feed and house their families. Who of us would not choose to live in the land that is familiar, where you can communicate in your native language, raise your children to appreciate their customs and heritage, and be free to come and go as you please? We must not perpetuate the mistaken and damaging belief that hundreds of thousands of fleeing immigrants are coming here because they want a handout. They simply want to survive. They are willing to suffer possible death, possible deportation and daily discriminations to support their families and give their children a better life. President Bush's recent address to the nation was an attempt to clarify (simplify) the issues and to explain his administration's plans to resolve it. Unfortunately, the very expensive and divisive solutions he proposes completely miss the underlying sources of the problems. Instead of fortifying our borders, our country should be looking at ways to help our southern neighbors develop and cultivate self-sustaining economies. Kathleen Paterno, of Powell Butte, is a freelance paralegal and personal life coach. |