Motivations for Immigration Reform
April 9th, 2007
Immigration has suddenly become a hot button topic in the U.S. political scenario and even Senators from northern and midwestern states vying for the Presidential position are trumpeting their views on strict immigration control. The Democrats have been largely silent or at least ambivalent about immigration control. While most of them believe that the issue is in need of reform, they haven’t expressed any strong opinions about it yet. However on the other side, Republicans either are fiercely voicing their opinions against any immigration or like Bush, trying to sidestep the issue to court the Hispanic vote bank. But what really drives those who oppose immigration or seek harsher penalties? Is it just plain protecting-the-territory or something on the lines of say, xenophobia? Especially against the poor.
Of course, the Irish and the Germans faced opposition when they immigrated to the new world in the late 19th and earlier 20th century but at times, I believe the voices of opposition are harsher this time around. For e.g., The Texas Legislature is currently debating SB 268 submitted by Sen. Dan Patrick that seeks to tax all overseas wire transfers of $5000 or less by non-U.S. citizens at the rate of 10 percent. Admittedly, Texas receives the brunt of illegal immigration from across the border but this proposed legislation makes no difference between legal and illegal immigrants and is additionally discriminatory more toward the working poor. So, technically if I, a legal resident [in the eyes of the IRS] of Texas were to send say, $2000 to India I would be hit by a transaction tax of $200 whereas my next door neighbor sends $6000 to London, he would pay the normal wire transfer rates? Also, those offshore accounts nestled in the Caribbean would not fear the tax man because such wire transfers are scarcely below $5000. The motivations of Sen. Patrick in enforcing such a law toward immigration reform cannot be more clear.
One of the key complaints against increased immigration from the Latin American countries is the threat to so-called American identity and traditionalist fear the decline of the English language along with other things that are generally considered American. Samuel Huntington in his much-talked about book, Who are We? Challenges to America’s National Identity believes that America is threatened by large-scale immigration from Mexico and other Latin American countries. The ‘fact’ that these immigrants tend to ghettoize themselves and refuse to assimilate is eroding American culture. However, in a study by Citrin et al (2007) debunks this myth and shows that “Hispanics acquire English and lose Spanish rapidly beginning with the second generation and appear to be no more or less religious or commited to the work ethic than native-born whites” [source (PDF link; via Marginal Revolution]. So will the opponents beating the drum of dying Americanism and fading English language stop beating the alarmist drum? Probably not. Because the motivations of their protest didn’t originate from fear of their stated cause but in fact from latent xenophobic and probably even racist prejudices. I know, it may be a stretch to term it as such and it may be difficult to prove so but do note the differences in sentiments for immigration from Eastern European countries.
I agree that sheer numbers may play a vital role here but then only in the case of large numbers will your feelings of social acceptance be tested. Research shows that support for a mixed neighborhood declines as number of minorities increase. Residents are accepting of African Americans as long as their numbers are less than 30%. I am talking about those neighborhoods which are generally liberal and ‘open-minded’ regarding living in mixed-race mixed-income neighborhoods.
In that case, does the burden of assimilation really lie with only the immigrants? Societies that demand subservience to an existing and often imposed culture from immigrants tend to foster feelings of resentment and any unfair treatment will be viewed from the lenses of subconscious discrimination.
Technorati Tags: immigration, reform, assimilation, xenophobia, discrimination, Texas, Samuel Huntington
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9 Responses to “Motivations for Immigration Reform”
Garamchai.Com ... for the desi in pardes - The Best Site for NRI, Indians in the US April 12th, 2007 at 10:01 am #
Jonathan Karademos' Blog April 11th, 2007 at 10:06 pm #
Steve April 10th, 2007 at 9:23 pm #
“In that case, does the burden of assimilation really lie with only the immigrants?”
Well yes, yes it does.
English should be the official language of America.
We shouldn’t have multilingual voters ballots.
America is getting too populated. Sure immigration built this country, but well we are all built now.
Steve April 11th, 2007 at 12:14 am #
Here is the truth, for it seems like you bought into the big lie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQYaufgISIw
realitycheck April 11th, 2007 at 12:37 am #
>> a legal resident [in the eyes of the IRS] of Texas were to send say, $2000 to India I would be hit by a transaction tax of $200 whereas my next door neighbor sends $6000 to London, >>
The use of India and London in this example is unfortunate. There is no nationality bias at play here. Your next door neighbor could also send $6000 to India and only pay wire transfer fees.
I am always amazed at Indians getting worked up over genunine American efforts to gain a control on their immigration policies. Hare brained or not, it is their country and they get to try out policies.
All talk about assimilation from Indians are nonsense. Can you deny the fact that latinos, puerto ricans, mexican americans, are way more integrated into American mainstream than Indians are. From truck drivers, to baseball, pro-sports, law enforcement, school teaching, to strippers, to enrollment in the Marines – Indians are nowhere.
Apart from the just demand of “due process”, legal immigrants (except those fleeing persecution) have little by way of rights. If folks feel the laws are trashy, then they can take steps to move out.
Pratik April 11th, 2007 at 9:19 pm #
Steve, assimilation works both ways; the immigrants come to the U.S looking for a new life and they will not feel at home if they aren’t welcomed. Of course, they should come through legal means but these are desperate hard-working people looking for a way to enhance their life. the last thing we want to do is to criminalize their behavior.
As far as your other comments go, frankly they do not deserve a response but personally if you ask me, better start learning Chinese if you wish to compete in tomorrow’s world.
Reality Check, the wire-transfer example was to depict the difference in unfair taxation toward the poor and wasn’t supposed to show a nationality difference. As far as accepting immigrants, I think you prefer Latinos to Indians, right? (Hear that, Steve)Well, I think they come to the U.S with different skills and hence perform different duties. If you read Sepia Mutiny, you might be surprised to find out that there are Indians in almost every service industry. (tongue-in-cheek alert!)Well, as far as being a stripper is concerned, I am not sure you want to see a desi strip. We are better off doing taxes or tech support
Steve April 13th, 2007 at 6:17 pm #
This is what is going on at our border.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1451035544403625746
Immigration is the most serious issue facing America today.
realitycheck April 14th, 2007 at 10:28 pm #
Pratik,
Good point about the desi strippers
But, it still remains my benchmark of assimiliation.
Jim April 16th, 2007 at 9:32 am #
If you think that is the case then you have no knowledge of how specifically the Irish were first treated.
They were met everywhere with signs saying “Irish need not apply” meaning that if you are an Irish person looking for a job you won’t be hired at that place of work.
Now, sure, we aren’t supposed to be hiring ILLEGAL immigrants, but nowdays it is illegal to discriminate against whose who come into our country illegally.