A Complex Challenge and No Easy Answers
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Second in a Series
This is the second in a series in which Moore County's Republican and Democractic party chairmen will address various political issues. The issue the two tackle is immigration. For Moore County Republican Party Chairman Robert Levy's response click here.
Ours is a nation of immigrants. That’s what we’re told from our earliest years in grade school. The vast majority of Americans are descended from those who came (voluntarily or not) from other continents.
But the topic remains controversial. And immigration both legal and not is changing the American landscape. Demographers tell us that by 2050, the proportion of Hispanics in the U.S. will more than double to 29 percent, making them the largest segment after whites at 47 percent.
As a nation, we must carefully consider how to best cope with such a dramatic change.
Immigration is a complex issue and a vital one for all of us. Immigrants are a significant part of our economic engine. Such multi-billion-dollar companies as Intel, Sun Microsystems, eBay, Yahoo! and Google were founded by immigrants. This country is a magnet for talented students who come from around the world to study at our universities and often choose to stay here to work. As part of the global economy, our success depends on both domestic and foreign talent.
While there are several areas that merit consideration, such as the patchwork quota system and the H1-B non-immigrant visa, which allows a company to employ a foreign national for a limited time (and which is being targeted for potential abuse by employers), the issue of undocumented migrants is drowning out all other immigration discussions.
Residents of North Carolina who lack documentation are estimated to amount to about 3 percent of the state’s population. Nationwide, the total number is probably around 12 million. Their presence has energized opposition from both sides of the political spectrum. The law-and-order right is incensed that there is a sizable group flouting our laws. Labor unions on the liberal side fret that jobs are being taken away and wages of our lowest paid are being lowered further by the competition. The reality lies somewhere between.
Those on the right (not least the tea partiers) would have us deport all undocumented people. A recent report by the Center for American Progress estimates that the roundup and transfer would cost $285 billion over five years and add $922 in new taxes for every American.
In a paper published earlier this year, UCLA professor Raúl Hinojosa-Ojeda calculated that if undocumented immigrants were removed from America’s economy, our GDP would be reduced by $2.6 trillion over 10 years. So we are looking at increasing our taxes significantly and hobbling our economy’s growth. There’s not a lot to recommend that option.
Add to that the many cases each year of American citizens being wrongly deported. Here in North Carolina last year, Mark Lyttle, born in Rowan County, was dumped in Mexico by U.S. immigration authorities, unable to speak Spanish and with no money. A program of mass deportation without adequate (and expensive) safeguards would inevitably sweep up innocent Americans.
As for the effect on wages, most studies suggest that the only category harmed is that of high school dropouts, who suffer a $25-a-week loss due to the competition. The fact is that there aren’t many jobs where a worker with unknown education and little or no skill with English can compete. And those who fear criminal behavior are misdirecting their concerns. A 2007 study by the Immigration Policy Center found that immigrants, legal or not, are substantially less likely to commit crimes or be incarcerated.
We as a society must begin to take steps to cope with the changing population mix that is predicted to occur over the next few decades. At present, Hispanic students drop out of high school at the alarming rate of 21.4 percent. Compare that with 8.7 percent for the population as a whole. We simply cannot afford to undereducate a population that will be a third of our workforce in 40 years. It may take a couple of generations to turn that around, and we have no time to lose.
There are still actions that we need to take to bring order to the system. Effective border controls and programs to disrupt human trafficking are a necessary start. Sanctions for employers who knowingly hire the undocumented may reduce the incentive to cross the border illegally. But we must also recognize the 12 million already here and take steps to give them legal status.
Given the downsides to deportation, a well-considered system that leads to legal residency, if not full citizenship, for those not guilty of criminal behavior merits serious consideration. Such a legalization effort is expected to create $1.5 trillion in U.S. economic growth over the next 10 years.
America’s history is one of changes brought about by immigration. Over the years, migrants from every corner of the world have come to this country and helped it become the most prosperous nation on earth. But success isn’t guaranteed. It’s up to all of us to do what we must to ease the transition of newcomers into our society.
At the end of the day, immigration is an opportunity for progress. It’s up to all of us to make the most of it.
Jim Heim is chairman of the Moore County Democratic Party. Contact him at democrat@heim.us.
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Comments
teufelhunden 3 years ago
Are you quite serious?
teufelhunden 3 years ago
I noticed that the Pilot's policy regarding reader comments uses the word "illegal". Does that mean "against the law"? Hmmmm.
nothingspecial 3 years ago
It's a mess, it's unprecedented in this country, and there have got to be better ways to work on a fix than what you are suggesting.
Weedhopper 3 years ago
How about if we launch a war on illegal immigrqation like the war on drugs? That like totally solved the problem.
RmeMP 3 years ago
My opinion on the matter is a simple one: Illegal immigrants are ILLEGALLY here - PERIOD.
Stop giving them amenities, and start heavily fining people who hire them without having conducting an I-9 (proves right to work legally) first.
For the ones who are here, I would apologize for them having to leave, but if they didn't break the law in the first place, they wouldn't be in the predicament they are currently in.
All the security improvements made at the airports and harbors do no good when people smuggle unknown amounts of god knows what, by simply walking accross the border.
As far as the "cheap labor" argument is concerned, child labor is cheap also - but it is illegal and actually inforced; so why shouldn't illegal migrant labor be inforced also? That is why this country has "Minimum wage" scales.
Send them home, have them processed the LEGAL way, and I will welcome all who come with open arms!
LucilleGreybone 3 years ago
Ask the legal immigrants what they think about illegal immigration. It is not fair.
The whole racist argument is just stupid to me. You don't see US citizens (any color)fighting over the quantity, or quality of legal immigrants. They just don't care. If it was about race, they would fight immigration period.
People are seriously tired of working hard their entire lives, and see people that are breaking the law reap the benefits. I think every race is tired of it. If there was an influx of illegal icelanders I think America would feel the same. It has nothing to do with just being a latino.
coffecreme 3 years ago
I was reading an article yesterday and it was stressing that the very people who are all up in arms over illegals are also the ones who hire them as gardeners, kitchen help, etc. You cannot have it both ways.
Instead of the illegals spending six months in jail, which the new law in Arizona proposes (for which I find weird that Arizonans are willing to foot the bill), put those who employ the illegals in jail for six months. That alone would overload the Moore County Jail.
teufelhunden 3 years ago
Great perspective LucilleGreybone. I agree it is not a racial issue-it is about upholding the law, what is fair to legal citizens and national security. Some of us are concerned for the well being of our nation and its citizens (including all legal minorities!!!).
teufelhunden 3 years ago
Very true coffecreme-you cannot have it both ways. Do not employ illegal gardeners & housekeepers-give our legal US citizens the work!!!
teufelhunden 3 years ago
Heck yeah-a job is a job. If you had the choice of money or no money-eat or don't eat-get your butt up & get to work...all work is noble.
JK 3 years ago
Are you really serious, or is this one of Dusty Rhoades’ satirical columns? I am particularly amused by the use of “undocumented migrants”; I always get a laugh out of the PC addicted media. Unfortunately, it is what it is, illegal entry in to this country. You should travel to our nations southern border towns and explain to US citizens that “as a nation, we must carefully consider how to best cope with such a dramatic change” and that “Immigration is a complex issue and a vital one for all of us” after they have been terrorized by cross-border gangs. I wish the President of the United States cared as much about securing American citizens living in our Border States as he does about ensuring Afghans sleep soundly in their beds at night. Nevertheless I’m encouraged that his (and your) push for “comprehensive immigration reform” will solve our collective problems with “undocumented migrants”, endear the US to our violent, unmanageable southern neighbor and allow “US citizens” to focus on the collective good for the motherland.
That was my attempt at satire, in truth I’m relieved that states like Arizona are beginning to “take actions that bring order to the system”. In closing, I say thanks for the offer, but you can leave me out of easing any transitions….
teufelhunden 3 years ago
steveital-you and your wife should be proud of doing the right thing. Thank you and I hope those who have never been in your situation can learn a thing or two from you & your wife.
OldSpook 3 years ago
Steveital,
Please forgive the public query, but I lived in Alta Mira from 1983 to 1987 and always considered returning until the government changed. Did your lovely wife manage to get her family out? Again, I apologize to all for asking a personal question in a public forum.