Open immigration: the benefits are great. The right is unquestionable. So let them come.

[sparkofcreation 0]

I sort of like the idea. Of course, it would be a few decades of hell while everything shook out, but I think it would eventually. I mean, it always has before. Remember that thing about "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free"? It would be a hell of a thing to try to work out how to implement it effectively with as little chaos as possible, but if that could be worked out, I think it would be okay.

And I bet there wouldn't be as many immigrants as people think. A lot of people enter the Green Card Lottery for the hell of it and then when they win, they figure they can't turn it down. But they don't really want to live in the US. If people knew they could come here, I think a lot of them wouldn't. And a lot of them would eventually leave, because there wouldn't be the perception that if they left, they wouldn't be able to come back.

By the way, I think Mdyoung was absent from school the day they taught American History.

Edited March 30, 2006 by sparkofcreation

[I'm Gone 60]

By the way, I think Mdyoung was absent from school the day they taught American History.

What did I miss? Been a long time since there was unregulated, everyone come on in immigration allowed. You tell me one other country that allows anyone that wants to live there to just show up and move in?

But this issue is mooted by the passage, under the Clinton Administration of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity and Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), which makes legal permanent residents ineligible for most forms of welfare for 5 years. I support this kind of legislation.

That was because people were moving mom and dad and grandma and grandpa here and signing them up for SSI benefits as soon as they got here.

Edited March 30, 2006 by mdyoung

[dalegg 143]

But this issue is mooted by the passage, under the Clinton Administration of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity and Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), which makes legal permanent residents ineligible for most forms of welfare for 5 years. I support this kind of legislation.

That was because people were moving mom and dad and grandma and grandpa here and signing them up for SSI benefits as soon as they got here.

This is tied to the reason why the liberatarian party has an open-borders policy in its doctrine (or at least did last I checked). They are not afraid of immigrants sucking up welfare on their plan because there wouldn't be any welfare system to suck up for anyone.

[radacos 0]

But this issue is mooted by the passage, under the Clinton Administration of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity and Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), which makes legal permanent residents ineligible for most forms of welfare for 5 years. I support this kind of legislation.

That was because people were moving mom and dad and grandma and grandpa here and signing them up for SSI benefits as soon as they got here.

This is tied to the reason why the liberatarian party has an open-borders policy in its doctrine (or at least did last I checked). They are not afraid of immigrants sucking up welfare on their plan because there wouldn't be any welfare system to suck up for anyone.

Yup, that is correct. And a great idea as far as I'm concerned, even though not entirely practical in the short run.

[Fischkoepfin 1]

Great plan! I also don't think the country would be overrun as there's still the issue of having the necessary funds to immigrate as well as of finding a job.

As to the argument that first other countries should do it, why? Most Americans don't give a hoot about other countries and what they do when it comes to things like health care, taxes, environmental protections, or education, so why should the US suddenly need the lead of other countries on liberalizing immigration??

[dalegg 143]

As to the argument that first other countries should do it, why? Most Americans don't give a hoot about other countries and what they do when it comes to things like health care, taxes, environmental protections, or education, so why should the US suddenly need the lead of other countries on liberalizing immigration??

yeah, no kidding. For example, I've always been puzzled why people always compare the US to Europe like they are better for some reason. for example "Europeans have long ago abolished the death penalty". "Europeans don't even consider the abortion arguement anymore" "Europeans suffer an unemployment rate almost twice that of the US". It's time we realize that the US sets the example for them, not the other way around!!

[Fischkoepfin 1]

As to the argument that first other countries should do it, why? Most Americans don't give a hoot about other countries and what they do when it comes to things like health care, taxes, environmental protections, or education, so why should the US suddenly need the lead of other countries on liberalizing immigration??

yeah, no kidding. For example, I've always been puzzled why people always compare the US to Europe like they are better for some reason. for example "Europeans have long ago abolished the death penalty". "Europeans don't even consider the abortion arguement anymore" "Europeans suffer an unemployment rate almost twice that of the US". It's time we realize that the US sets the example for them, not the other way around!!

Believe it or not, I go both ways because I do believe in an interconnected world in which no nation or community of nations can exist without the other and considering what is happening in other nations. That's just how communities whether continental or global happen to work.

Yet, that view seems to be less prevalent among some Americans, particularly of the conservative/isolationist/libertarian conviction, unless it comes to the US taking the lead on certain issues that they disagree with. I do actually think Europe would do as well as the US when it comes to opening its borders and the same holds true for every other nation in the world.

[munchkins 0]

Have to say that I for one believe immigration has to be controlled no matter how big the country. If you have uncontrolled immigration and a weak government, like the UK, you will end up in the same mess as we are over it. Maybe not for the next generation but it could happen. Only my thoughts

[Jasman0717 9]

[Lovetoteach 53]

I'm curious and please I do not want a bashing.

I came here on a fiance visa and got married to a guy who was abusive both emotionally, psychologically and sexually. When the time came he refused to go to the AOS interview, hence my AOS was denied and has left me out of status ie illegal. As many of you know I have filed A VAWA petition which I'm still awaiting adjudication on. Furthermore, I am in the system and have been put into removal proceedings of which my attorney believes due the pending petition can be overcome.

I just wondered how people might view this.

Shona

[rebeccajo 14]

Shona, no offense, but I just don't see what that has to do with the discussion.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

You entered legally and found yourself in an unfortunate situation -- if someone has a problem with that, they need to find something else to worry about, IMO.

Does anybody seriously think that Europeans are more "progressive" in their attitudes toward open borders? Please.....some countries in the EU don't want other EU members citizens to come to their country let alone people from anywhere else.

[almaty 19]

You entered legally and found yourself in an unfortunate situation -- if someone has a problem with that, they need to find something else to worry about, IMO.

Does anybody seriously think that Europeans are more "progressive" in their attitudes toward open borders? Please.....some countries in the EU don't want other EU members citizens to come to their country let alone people from anywhere else.

no..try and get into finland

[Lovetoteach 53]

Shona, no offense, but I just don't see what that has to do with the discussion.

Apologies I didn't want to make a big deal of it so I just thought I'd add it on somewhere to an "immigration" thread . I won't say anymore.

Shona

[mercuryroad 0]

Shona, no offense, but I just don't see what that has to do with the discussion.

Apologies I didn't want to make a big deal of it so I just thought I'd add it on somewhere to an "immigration" thread . I won't say anymore.

Shona

It's ok shona....we'll sneak you in under the hot clause hahahaha

Your situation offers and interesting perspective on this issue to me anyway.