Immigration: Essential to America's Soul

From time to time my Dad sends me emails that he has received from one friend or another. Frequently they are on political subjects. Recently he forwarded one to me that contained a list of quotes from various supposed Hispanic leaders that were intended to cast a fearful shadow on the influx of Latino immigration (legal and illegal). Here is my response:

OK, this email got my blood boiling, but not for the same reason as most who may read it. The quotes are mostly (but not all) correctly attributed, while a few have been unable to be substantiated. So that's not the problem. The issue I have is that this email denigrates Latin-American immigrants (both legal and illegal). It appeals to fear. Latin immigrants, like all immigrants in our nation's history, come to America to seek opportunity and a better life. They do not come to get a free ride. The tone of this email is identical to anti-Irish and anti-Italian polemics of the 19th century. At that time the fear was that the unwashed immigrant tide would turn the nation Catholic and put us under the Pope's control. Now we are supposed to fear that several states will secede to rejoin Mexico. What a bunch of crap.

As always, this is not to say that there aren't individuals and groups seeking policies and actions that are inimical to our society and way of life. They certainly exist and are clearly outspoken. But they do not speak for the vast majority of immigrants. In fact, George Will has an interesting piece about the Hispanic-American population that is definitely worth reading. I'm sending it to you. (The column can be read here.)

The worst thing we can do is treat Hispanic immigrants as enemies or less than desirable. That will spur them to do exactly what this email alleges they are doing--voting as a bloc. And shouldn’t they, if the Republicans appear to be targeting them as undesirables. They may trend Democrat, but they are very much in play as a demographic. Republicans need to bring them into the fold, not alienate them.

The worst thing about this email is it targets Latinos and paints them with a broad and very negative brush. It's like saying that Louis Farrakhan speaks for all African-Americans. Our nation is built on immigrants, and this generation's immigrants are really no different from waves in the past (in both good and bad). And one thing that we are still good at (and Europe is not) is making these people into Americans. Two or three generations from now they will be fully integrated, just as the Irish and the Italians are.

The Latinos I know are hard working people trying to make a better life. Some would say that maybe that's true of some, but most are trying to game the system. Bull. That's politicians pandering for votes based on fear. Most Latinos (legal and illegal) just want something better for themselves and their children, just like immigrants of the past.

We need comprehensive immigration reform, including a guest worker program and controlled borders, but in a way that communicates to Latinos that they are not the target. The Obama administration and Congress both seem incapable of doing this. And I'm aware of the maneuvering the Obama administration is entertaining, which is unconscionable and will not stand in the light of day. The immigration reform bill that tried to go through during the Bush administration was flawed, but it was far better than what we have now, and is a good template to start from, as long as we can add stronger border control to it.

OK, I'm through with my rant. I guess you found one of my hot buttons. Those who fear immigration fear that America's soul will be lost through it, while I embrace immigration because I believe that it is an essential part of America's soul and renews it, just as the [Latter-day Saint] Church would die without the missionary program. Oh, it would still exist, but it would be moribund and decaying like the Reorganized Church.

My Dad forwarded my reply to a friend whose response made my day:

Hey, your son Rob has got it right! I really liked his logic.

Historically, we've gone through this numerous times. I've said it before, but go back to the pre l860's, say about l840, and the fear of the Italians and Irish immigrants, because _"they were Roman Catholic" led to a political party, aptly called the No Nothings. The issue? Anti Catholicism. Been there, done that.

Every time I see one of these diatribes targeted at some particular group, or groups, I think, now just what is this guy (or gal) selling? I'm suspicious. And sure enough, most of the time, we've got a bigot on the other end! I don't like bigots.

I have no problem with people disagreeing with the current policies of the government. Currently, I'm not a big fan of what I see going on. But when I see this drivel which your son and I agree is "crap", I really find it hard to accept. Use logic to argue. Use you noodle, as we to say. Don't just put together a bunch of anti this or anti that to make your case.

We, the people of the United States are a composite of a lot of different groups. We aren't "one" thing. We're a mix. That's our strength.

You didn't send it, but I received an e-mail a couple of days ago that took out after muslim's about the same way the e-mail in question here took out after hispanics. I don't have any muslim grandchildren, but my reaction was similar. What are we doing? Do the people that put this stuff together or send it on recognize what they are doing?

Anyway, I don't know if your son got his smarts from you or his mom, but kudo's to you both.

My Dad and I agree on a lot, but don’t always see eye to eye. It made my day to see that sometimes through discussion we can find common ground.