My Ramblings on US Immigration Policy.

Trying to converse about immigration is incredibly difficult for me. I shy from the subject for several reasons. First, American policy has a history of being inherently racist. From the 3/5 compromise all the way to the internment of Japanese  Americans during World War Two, America has a bad track record for discrimination. At the same time, I see policies in place that give federal student financial aid money to illegal immigrants while I receive exactly zero dollars from my lovely friends on Capitol Hill. I know these two things don’t exactly mesh, but the fact still stands that though I scowl at seeing money allocated away from upstanding citizens such as myself, I struggle to trust any policy against a minority.

Lots of “reverse racism” has happened in the last few years. Meaning white men in power have been overly scrutinized in their positions due to their skin color. Though I consider this line of thinking unfair, the fact remains that elderly white men in power have very little perspective on immigration and the struggle of immigrants from small countries. George W. Bush proposed what I believe to be the most fair proposal on the issue. He wanted to offer enough green cards to fill the American labor need. This would have more than doubled the number of green cards issued and for this reason the bill was shot down.  So where do we get enough labor? I don’t work on a farm or at a factory, nor does anyone I know. So why should I be upset that someone from another country wants this job?

My oversimplification of the issue is intentional. The media presents it to me this way so that it is nearly impossible for me to form a fully coherent opinion. However, I stand by the statement that due to America’s track record with minorities, it should be highly scrutinized every time a law passes to take away rights from someone with another skin color. I know how hard it will be to graduate from college without financial aid. I don’t know how hard that would be were my parents not US citizens. Without that knowledge readily available, I don’t make a fuss about money, because I can get any job I want. I have my papers and I always will.

Through all of my incoherent babble on the subject I hope you take away a few things. I support anyone who will work hard for bettering America. Anyone who will work in a factory or a field fits that category in my mind. I also denounce any law or policy that prevents immigrants from bettering America. I want the “American dream” to continue. Just 3 generations ago my great grandfather worked to move his family here from Ukraine. If he had been turned away My grandfather Reverend Doctor Blasko would never have served his country. America was born of immigrants and should continue to be the melting pot of the world. Closing our borders is the death of our roots and the withering of our proud nation.