The two main problems I have with the law in Arizona are the basic xenophobia that is apparent in it and the pretty big possibility of human rights violations. Xenophobia - the fear and hatred of foreigners - closes us off to so many cultural perspectives, and allows us to consider the person who is not like us as somehow less than human, and thus it becomes OK to harm, humiliate, or dismiss them. As noted before, this law allows cops (and others) to stop anyone they suspect is illegal and this will be done based on appearance for the most part. What this means is anyone who looks specifically Mexican can be stopped, even if they are citizens. Arizona was part of Mexico before it became part of the US - some people who look Mexican may have been here for many generations. Also, if a kid looks older then he or she is, they could be deported if they do not have ID...and how many 14 year-olds carry ID? Once we open the floodgates to this type of discrimination, it could become legal against other groups too (Blacks? Italians? Women? Catholics? Jews?...).
Then again, perhaps the focus (in the general debate) on individuals is misguided. I see a number of concerns that are not being addressed. The first is NAFTA, which has harmed individuals in both the US and Mexico, favoring businesses. In the US, many jobs have been lost as businesses search for cheaper labor; in Mexico, US-subsidized food, especially corn, has pushed many small farmers to the brink of starvation. Mexicans migrate to cities, especially on the US/Mexico border, where there are factory jobs - but many of the factories hire mostly young women. This has put additional stress on marriages, since men (in Mexico like in the US) have traditionally provided for their families. Although the number of female immigrants has gone up, there are still many more men than women coming over to the US without documentation - many times because they want to provide. People, regardless of where they are from, do what they must to survive. This is what we see in the US right now too, when people are worried about economics they react.
The second is the issue of the drug wars, which is pushing many to flee the violence. We need to do something on the demand side, as well as the supply side. If violence goes down, more people will stay where they are. I have always thought that so much more could be done to slow down drugs. Some believe that legalizing drugs so they are regulated and taxes are paid may be a good idea...in fact some argue that marijuana has less adverse effects on society than alcohol (and apparently there was a racial basis years ago that led to one being legal and not the other).
And one last comment. Some argue that people who are not documented do not pay taxes. Anyone in this country pays taxes, even American citizens who are paid in cash (like many mom-and-pop pizza joints, landscaping, and construction jobs - not all, but many). Property taxes and sales taxes are paid regardless. Unfortunately, many non-citizens who do not have working papers (from many countries) may use someone else's social security number, pay taxes - and never get a refund or see any social security or medicare benefits. It took me about 9 months to clear my taxes on year because of a situation like this. Giving people worker's id numbers may help with this, but I do not think it is a full solution. And yes, non-Citizens who join the armed forced are fast-tracked for citizenship.
So my question - and challenge - to you is:
How can we balance the debate on illegal immigration, human rights, fairness, public opinion and what seems to me to be sheer hatred? What can we do that works for the largest number of people? What solutions (partial or complete) can we come up with? You are the generation that will rule the world in a few years, so let's think about solutions!
Honestly, in this world there will always be hate...theres not much that we can do regulate the amount of illegal immigration because we already have that set in place and people are still going around it, the only way to seriously stop the illegal immigration is to make this country into something that people wouldnt want to immigrate to...but in turn how would that look on us here...we probably wouldnt want to be here either after that...but if we could extend the united states into mexico and build up from there, theres a good chance that it will not only increase our power, wealth, and how people look at us...but also enrich another country and bringing it into our arms...though then theres always the argument of our capitalist society...and thats another argument within itself
ReplyDeletei completely agree with everything alex said. people will hate no matter what race, religion, size you are. but i think it would be a great idea to make mexico apart of the united states. it might put a stop to immigration and so much hate. and in the end i think it would actually benefit us. but i dont really have an exact answer but i know that with my generation, we are more acceptable then the current generation and hopefully that will help this issue for later in life.
ReplyDeleteI sort of agree with the Kayla and Alex. There is always going to be hat in the Unites States. I do see our generation become more accepting of different races and religions just because we were exposed to that at such a young age. I don't agree with Kayla when she says that Mexico should be apart of the United States. In my opinion i think that would hurt our chances of becoming less discriminatory and it would just be more chaos. I do want to see people be more accepting of each other and i think it is just going to take time.
ReplyDeleteI feel the Arizona law is a step forward. It's sad that people keep putting race into the mix and making it a factor. At the same time it's sad how everyone thinks everything is a stereotype and a hate crime. Yes because of that law we may have to judge people based on how they look, but we aren't doing it to be mean or anything like that. We're doing it to try and solve this problem and in turn decrease violence. If they are a US citizen they shouldn't argue. If someone asks them, just politely show them the proof and move on. There's no need to argue saying were stereotyping. That just adds to the problem. Another thing is stricter border control. If we make it a little harder to get in here illegally, then it won't be such a problem. We need to do something because if we keep it the way it is now violence and hate are just going to be on the rise. People will believe what they want. They will believe that every spanish looking person is illegal, not paying taxes and stealing our jobs. We need to somehow persuade people to think differently. Another thing is jobs shouldn't be so cheap and look for cheaper labor. That's causing problems in itself and only adding to the stereotypical judgements.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me cringe to hear about people treating other human beings like dirt and with such disrespect. No matter what color a person it they are still a person. What is the outcome of treating others like crap or harming them? Absolutely nothing. I believe some of the people who are like this is because they do not know what it is like for these people who risk their lives to come to the United States. Yes I agree to follow laws because they are set for a reason but they should have something to help these people who want to come to our country to make their life better and to support for their family. Some of these people have absolutely nothing and all they want to do is provide for their family and keep them healthy and safe, just like the rest of us. Also I don't agree with legalizing marijuana because I don't believe in recreational drugs but they are many many studies and documentaries that show marijuana is harmless. There is no known case of a car accident because of marijuana or a death because of marijuana. On a list of harmful things that will kill a person marijuana is not on it but caffeine is. I feel the only reason why it is not legal yet is because they have not figured out a test to detect it while driving, like the breathalizer for alcohol.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I just dont understand how the Unite States can act so surprised that there are so many immigrants here withot citizenship. My father is an italian citizen and we have been here for 15 years. There's nothing wrong with people not being citizens as long as everything else is straightened out. My father pays taxes, has a house, job, family, car..etc. The government needs to be more aware of the people here, either become a citizen or make sure your paperwork is done so there arent problems. If you're here for a legit reason, and you want to provide for your family and give them a good life-then just go about it the right way. Theres nothing wrong with anyone making a living, no matter what race, religion, culture, etc..just go about it the right way and dont try to hide that you're here, because then i think it becomes much worse.
ReplyDeleteThere will always be a dispute on this topic. We can not really equally balance it out because there will always be someone who finds it unfair. Everyone has different views and i doubt you will find many people that feel the same about immigration. Some people do not seem to mind and others feel more strongly about how we should not allow it. Some people just do not like certain immigrants for no reason and treat them harshly. I think we can make the citizenship process a little easier because everyone in America was either once or related to an immigrant. We forget that we were once immigrants and treat these people cruelly for no reason. I also think that diversity is a good thing because we can learn a good amount from different types of groups.
ReplyDeleteI think the best way to limit immigration is to end free trade policies that keep the unemployment rates so high in the countries who's citizens migrate to America. Immigration is a problem in every rich nation, not just the
ReplyDeleteUnited States. Historically, all rich nations have become rich through strong protectionists economic practices. With present day trade agreements, the poor nations with incredibly high unemployment rates will remain undeveloped, ensuring a constant flow of immigrants into richer countries. If self control of natural resources was allowed in poor Latin American countries, then revenue could be generated from resource extraction and invested into job creation domestically, greatly reducing migration numbers to America.