Putting the “Illegal” into “Illegal Immigrant”
With the rain finally gone (sunny weather – yeah), I’ve been working on the yard. Tough work… the grass has had nearly three months to become officially ‘un-mowable’. I had to resort to hedge-trimming the grass, mowing, raking, bagging, and repeat. After two days (two sweaty and often painful days), I was ready to go down to the corner (by a local 7-11) and grab two or three guys to help me out. They are eager to work and I can pay them half of what I’d have to pay the neighbor’s kid, and they would do a far better job. However, that might be illegal.
I’m trying to get a grasp on what’s going on today – from everything I read, it appears that the government wants to crack down on illegal immigrants. This makes sense as 7.2 million illegal immigrants hold jobs in the United States, making up 4.9 percent of the overall labor force (according to a recent study by the Pew Hispanic Center).
So where I’m confused – why are legal immigrants so upset? Millions of legal immigrants plan to relay today (The Day without Immigrants) in protest to a bill (which stalled in the Senate) that:
A. Would make felons of the illegal immigrants
B. Calls for new walls on 700 miles of the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexican border
Now the illegal immigrants, they should be upset. Becoming a felon means (if captured) you will be arrested, fingerprinted and (if not serving jail time) would be expelled from the country – never to return again (which is silly, because they weren’t allowed here in the first place – and that didn’t stop them). Some of the illegal immigrants working in the US are working under false documents and are actually paying taxes, social security and other monies – all going into a system that they are not legally a part of – so they will never receive the benefits.
I’m all for immigration – America was built on immigrants and has a long (if you consider 225+ years long for a Country) history of supporting immigrant workers. Is it so terribly wrong that the Country wants to provide work and benefits to those that came to the country legally? Is it so difficult to comprehend that perhaps – sneaking into the country, finding illegal employment and avoiding taxes (not all – but most) should be considered a crime? Hell, we already call them “illegal Immigrants” – this just puts a consequence on the position.
Undocumented workers make up 24 percent of farm workers and hold 14 percent of construction jobs. I’m sure they are doing an excellent job, but that’s not really the point. The point is – in order to legally work in this country; you must be a citizen, hold a green card or have a work visa – otherwise, you are ‘illegal’.
If Americans are worried about paying more at the grocery store because ‘legal’ farm workers get ‘legal’ salaries, benefits and (god forbid) proper working conditions – all contributing to the extra $.75 a piece for avocados, then consider this… there were 6-1/2 million farms in America in 1935, 5-1/2 million in 1950, and a 1997 census counted only 1,911,859 farms remaining (due to government involvement and restrictions - but that is a rant for another time).
I’m sure most of the anger (from the legal immigrants) stems from either the fact that ‘they’ themselves were once illegal or that they have family and/or friends that are illegal. But I ask them this – is it wrong for a country to want its working force to be legally protected (against unfair or dangerous working conditions, substandard salaries and guaranteed fair employment practices), fiscally responsible (paying towards retirement, social security and taxes) and accountable (insured)?
As far as the ‘Great Wall’ of America – its only 700 miles of over 2000 miles separating the US from Mexico… there’s plenty of room to ‘squeeze’ in. With an estimated number of more than 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States (the population of Ohio) – illegal immigrants will always find a way into the US… we just don’t want to make it comfortable.
I’m trying to get a grasp on what’s going on today – from everything I read, it appears that the government wants to crack down on illegal immigrants. This makes sense as 7.2 million illegal immigrants hold jobs in the United States, making up 4.9 percent of the overall labor force (according to a recent study by the Pew Hispanic Center).
So where I’m confused – why are legal immigrants so upset? Millions of legal immigrants plan to relay today (The Day without Immigrants) in protest to a bill (which stalled in the Senate) that:
A. Would make felons of the illegal immigrants
B. Calls for new walls on 700 miles of the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexican border
Now the illegal immigrants, they should be upset. Becoming a felon means (if captured) you will be arrested, fingerprinted and (if not serving jail time) would be expelled from the country – never to return again (which is silly, because they weren’t allowed here in the first place – and that didn’t stop them). Some of the illegal immigrants working in the US are working under false documents and are actually paying taxes, social security and other monies – all going into a system that they are not legally a part of – so they will never receive the benefits.
I’m all for immigration – America was built on immigrants and has a long (if you consider 225+ years long for a Country) history of supporting immigrant workers. Is it so terribly wrong that the Country wants to provide work and benefits to those that came to the country legally? Is it so difficult to comprehend that perhaps – sneaking into the country, finding illegal employment and avoiding taxes (not all – but most) should be considered a crime? Hell, we already call them “illegal Immigrants” – this just puts a consequence on the position.
Undocumented workers make up 24 percent of farm workers and hold 14 percent of construction jobs. I’m sure they are doing an excellent job, but that’s not really the point. The point is – in order to legally work in this country; you must be a citizen, hold a green card or have a work visa – otherwise, you are ‘illegal’.
If Americans are worried about paying more at the grocery store because ‘legal’ farm workers get ‘legal’ salaries, benefits and (god forbid) proper working conditions – all contributing to the extra $.75 a piece for avocados, then consider this… there were 6-1/2 million farms in America in 1935, 5-1/2 million in 1950, and a 1997 census counted only 1,911,859 farms remaining (due to government involvement and restrictions - but that is a rant for another time).
I’m sure most of the anger (from the legal immigrants) stems from either the fact that ‘they’ themselves were once illegal or that they have family and/or friends that are illegal. But I ask them this – is it wrong for a country to want its working force to be legally protected (against unfair or dangerous working conditions, substandard salaries and guaranteed fair employment practices), fiscally responsible (paying towards retirement, social security and taxes) and accountable (insured)?
As far as the ‘Great Wall’ of America – its only 700 miles of over 2000 miles separating the US from Mexico… there’s plenty of room to ‘squeeze’ in. With an estimated number of more than 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States (the population of Ohio) – illegal immigrants will always find a way into the US… we just don’t want to make it comfortable.
posted by Survival Cookies at 9:12 AM
1 Comments:
Jazz Vox - Thank you for the comment – I always appreciate a good counter-point to my observations.
I often confuse people with my sarcastic points of view – but I believe all people have the right to earn a living to support their families. I would climb a wall, swim a river, burrow a tunnel or do whatever was needed to feed my family. But I would hope there was a system in place to insure that I was protected (both physically and financially) while on the job. As long as there is a need – undocumented workers will find a place here in America. As an American – I’d like to see workers contribute to a system that will someday reward them for their contributions. I want workers to be protected with insurance (health and life) and have the assurance that they will not be discriminated against for race, color, sex and so forth.
As for a “Great Wall”… it’s a ridiculous idea. The very idea that we could wall ourselves in (or others out) is insane. It’s just another example of how the current government is sucking the life out of liberties. A 700-mile wall to block a 2000-mile border is purely symbolic (as it isn’t practical) – and perhaps you are correct, that the symbolism is that of racism (or if not racism – at least nationism). I’m an advocate of a borderless planet – the idea of countries (like North Korea) that wall in their citizens turns my stomach. America should be weary – as walls can serve duel purposes… both as protection and as a prison.
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