Democrats vs. Republicans

To begin, I would like to thank the artist whose cartoon about immigration in The Daily Universe Oct. 18, 2006. The depiction of immigration as a time bomb hidden amongst the U.S.'s achievement of the 300 million-population mark beautifully captures the pervasive but incorrect notion that immigration is a bad thing that hurts our nation. Given the many positive effects that immigration has on our economy and society, our policy adjustments should focus on controlling the immigration process so that we as a nation may more efficiently benefit from it, rather than focus on eliminating the immigrant population (a rather futile attempt anyway).

The U.S. must take a critical look at its current immigration process and citizenship requirements. Their current complexity and the low rate of visa approvals for many would-be-immigrants encourage illegal immigration. Many within the current undocumented immigrant population assume that legal immigration is not a possibility, and given pressing economic needs, pursue illegal immigration as the alternative. Streamlining this process will encourage those who can make positive contributions to our country to pursue legal immigration, helping ensure those individuals whose entrance is prevented by immigration control are those who are less likely to have a positive effect on our country.

The U.S. must work with Mexico to improve its economy. The increase in immigration from Mexico is largely a result of Mexico's baby boomer generation entering the labor force in the midst of a two-generation economic recession. They are motivated to seek higher wages in this country, and they also lack any good memories of the Mexican economy, decreasing their trust in it and further encouraging immigration. The bodies of Mexican immigrants constantly found along the U.S.-Mexico border are stark evidence of their willingness to sacrifice everything for the 'American dream.' The ability to realize those dreams in their own nation will curb the immigrant flow better than any fence will.

The U.S. must encourage educational opportunities for undocumented Hispanic youth. For these young people, who by definition have entered the country while under the age of 18, the decision to immigrate illegally is largely not theirs, but rather that of parents or relatives who accompany them. Furthermore, spending their formative years in the United States greatly decreases any feeling of connection to their native countries and the possibility of returning to those countries. Given their likelihood to establish themselves in the U.S., and the fact that any children born to them are automatically U.S. citizens, anything the U.S. can do to invest in their education will only improve their economic contributions and those of their children. In addition, the level of social acceptance is a great determinant of the likelihood to engage in socially destructive behavior, and as we work to integrate these youth into U.S. society, existing problems with crime rates will decrease.

I am an immigrant to the United States of America. I was born and raised in Alberta, Canada, in a small town close to the Rockies. It's a beautiful place. Still, like countless other millions, I felt pulled towards America; so I came, and I filled out the endless piles of paperwork time and time and time again, and finally - finally - just two months ago, I became a citizen. I have, in a sense, had to say goodbye to the cattle and the ketchup chips of my childhood. But it's worth it.

Ironically, the principles that make the citizenship process stringent are the same principles that give it value. That is, the American system of legal immigration, at least according to my own experience, is obtuse. It does not outstretch its arms to the limits, allowing either anyone or everyone to enter. And it does not do that because the American immigration system upholds the American values of fairness, freedom and compassion.

First, our system is fair. All immigrants and potential immigrants have the ability to earn a place in the United States, because the only criteria are a commitment to law, a commitment to work and a commitment to American values, shown by such things as coming into the country legally, paying taxes and learning English. Every immigrant has the capacity to make those commitments. Thus, the American criteria for citizenship are character and gumption, not education or economic status.

Second, our system is free. For those who follow the rule of law, there are no legal barriers to American participation. There is no second-class status for first-generation immigrants as there is for Koreans in Japan, Muslims in France, or the Irish of a previous generation. Those who come legally are as privileged and protected as any natural-born citizen.

Third, our system is compassionate. It is so because it rewards the meek, the humble and 'the huddled masses' so often cited. It rewards those who patiently wait in line and sustain the law, who have nothing left but principle, and it disregards those who would take the privileges of citizenship by force. In this way, the American immigration system protects the weakest among us by providing clear paths to citizenship and fencing out those who attempt to trample over more submissive travelers.

The American dream is a real thing. I have seen it come true in my own life. Yes, I still say 'eh' occasionally and cheer for the Edmonton Oilers, but I am proud to be an American because of this nation's commitment to law and to freedom. And America has the right, through the legal immigration process, to demand the same commitment from me.