Illegal Immigration

[Angrboda]

One needs to separate the real issues of immigration from the false myths about it before anything can be productively discussed. The cost of immigration is debatable. Studies show that second generation immigrants contribute more than they consume in services. So the idea that immigrants are a drain on the economy is largely dependent upon specific assumptions, and varies according to which source of information you look at. Moreover, it's questionable whether immigration can be looked upon as a straight cost in the way other things can be, because immigration, both legal and illegal, is going to impact society in various ways. Arguing that the benefits of immigration outweigh the dollar costs becomes something of an apples to oranges comparison as the benefits to a society and the world of immigration and protection of refugees can't really be measured in dollars and cents. What was Einstein's contribution to the intellectual community at Princeton when he migrated to the U.S.? How do you put a dollar figure on that? The other questionable narrative is that illegal immigration makes a significant impact on crime in the U.S., and that a substantial percentage of immigrants, illegal or otherwise, contribute significantly to crime in the U.S.. Both of these themes are heavily pushed by conservatives as one of the most compelling reasons for the need for immigration reform and for specific reforms, yet there is little or no evidence for either. Yes, some criminal elements accompany peaceful illegal immigrants. Their percentage is not great, and it's questionable as to whether reducing illegal and legal immigration in general would have an impact on their numbers. There is also the claim that enforcing our borders would reduce the flow of illegal drugs into our country. But this claim is undermined by the fact that the majority of illegal drugs trafficked into our country come through at U.S. checkpoints and through the postal service and other package carriers. The idea that reducing the entry of immigrants outside U.S. checkpoints would significantly reduce the traffic of illegal drugs is not supported. The real questions about immigration focus on enforcement of our borders, fairness and resources devoted to processing immigrants, and the cost and inadequacy of infrastructure devoted to managing and processing illegal immigration.

So there are real issues that need to be addressed. Unfortunately the right isn't really interested in pursuing them, preferring instead to stoke racist and xenophobic fears that play well with their base. This is nothing but pandering for the sake of getting elected. It's aimed at addressing the needs of the politician, not the interests of our country. I'm more than happy to see positive changes in our immigration policies and how we deal with immigrants. But the pointless fear-mongering needs to stop. And a wall isn't a positive step in any direction, as its justification rests largely on myths about crime and drugs and immigration.