Open borders

[Cecelia]

The main issue is: Why does this matter so much to some people? Everyone keeps worrying about these undocumented immigrants, but why?

Let's examine the common reasons we hear:

#1. Jobs. This one can be thrown out quickly, though. Because people don't want to tackle the root cause of jobs going to undocumented immigrants. That is, employers. "Open Borders" or "Closed Borders" does not address this cause at all. In fact, it distracts from the issue entirely. So it can't be 'jobs'. People might claim it, but that doesn't make it so. if they were really concerned about all those jobs, they'd be against immigration from non-latinx countries as well. But they aren't. They're more than happy to accept Slovenian Models with enough plastic surgery to make Joan Rivers say "Enough already!"

#2. Taxes. This one can be thrown out too. For multiple reasons. #1. Because most undocumented immigrants do pay taxes, and #2. Making the path to citizenship much easier for them would lead to them... paying taxes.

#3. Limited Resources. Except, America is the land of plenty and waste. We've got more than enough resources. "But if we accept EVERYONE then we'll not have enough!" Which is blatantly false. America isn't 'full' by any means. And again, even if it were true, none of the same people have problems with European Immigrants. I'm seeing a pattern emerge here.

#4. They're dangerous! This is also blatantly false, and racist. Undocumented Immigrants commit violent crimes at lower rates than natural born citizens. If anything, we should advocate to let in those who haven't committed any violent crimes while working to help those who don't.

#5. DRUGS! Which would be a totally moot point if we decriminalized them in the first place. Which we should have, long ago.

#6. Terrorism. Which we have a lot of from the right wing in this country, but we won't label it terorrism. Not to mention more terrorists come in from Canada than south of the border in the first place.

#7. It's THE LAW! And this is ultimately what people fall back on. But WHY is it the law? What purpose does it serve? We have a lot of laws -- some just, and some unjust. Are we treating people fairly? Nobody who shouts about undocumented immigrants seems to care about this. And why is that? Are they racist, or have they simply allowed society's racism to convince them that brown people = scary?

Nobody who's concerned about undocumented immigrants EVER addresses what they claim their 'root' cause is. Instead they fear monger with terms like "OPEN BORDERS!" It's a scare tactic designed to distract from the real reason. Which is racism. Now, not every person concerned about undocumented immigrants are racist (Though I'd argue if you are okay with concentration camps because "What else are we supposed to do?!", I'd say that if the shoe fits, wear it). Many have just been suckered in by the racists, and continue using their language because society has been seeped in it for so long.

The truth is, most undocumented immigrants came to America seeking a better life for themselves, much like most of the people coming to America 200 years ago did. America is supposed to be the land of opportunity. Somehow, we've gone from: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”" to "Get out of our country you darned foreigner!"

Racism has long steered the conversation over undocumented immigrants. With terms like "Illegal Immigrant" It's allowed the conversation to move away from reforming the system, and it's steered the conversation away from the issues the people claim to have. (Legitimately, or not).