Thoughts on Immigration

1.       It is a complex issue with a multitude of factors that require both short term fixes and a long term philosophy.
2.       The Apex of the Discussion ultimately should center on what type of nation is envisioned for the future.
3.       The Issues facing Europe differ from those that impact Canada and the US although there is a certain degree of commonality.
4.       Legal Immigration has had a net positive impact on both the US and Canada. These are essentially immigration driven countries.
5.       Integrating the Immigrant population with the established population is key. A common framework is needed. This common framework ought to be the values of Western Liberalism – Free Speech, Private Ownership of Property, Rule of Law, an emphasis on merit, respect for workable institutions and a shared nationhood.
6.       The melting pot idea has largely been successful in the US but it is contingent on the idea of controlled immigration rates and workable timelines of integration.
7.       Merit based immigration driven policies centered on a point system is not a perfect solution but it is better than the alternatives.
8.       Background checks on immigrants are key. Those advocating violent political ideologies that are hostile to the nation must be excluded.
9.       If immigrant populations cannot integrate properly into a country this will result in greater alienation, conflict and clash across the board. This has been the case in Europe especially France and Belgium.
10.   Immigration numbers need to be consistent with Integration numbers.
11.   A country has the right to control its borders and need exercise such a right for the benefit of its population.
12.   The Hyphenated American descriptor is divisive. Legal Immigrants should be treated as Americans. Period.
13.   Illegal Immigration is a huge problem and indeed has the potential to threaten the integrity of the nation as a whole.
14.   The reasons for this are numerous and include – the obvious flouting of the rule of law, circumvention of the necessary screening process, complete disruption of the integration process and an obvious strain on resources.
15.   Nevertheless the concept of Illegal Immigration (although rarely touted as such) is welcomed by certain segments of the established population. Justification follows along several lines (both short and long term).
16.   Certain business interests welcome illegal immigration as a cheap source of labour. Various political operatives see it as a method of changing the demographics of key voting areas in favour of their partisan politics. Others see it as a necessary ingredient to transform the nation side into their respective ideal. Guilt with respect to the demise of the other is a fourth factor.
17.   All of these arguments are problematic and will hurt the country for reasons already discussed.
18.   Having said that it is necessary to deal with the broken system as it stands at this point in time. This involves addressing problems in the here-and-now.
19.   The American Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) must be seen in this context. It is a humane approach to a problem caused by the inability of a system to deal efficiently with the fallout from illegal immigration in the past. It ought to offer amnesty and then a possible path to citizenship for those meeting its more rigorous criteria. However it should not inform continuing policy. It is a patch driven by expedience but is not a long term solution.
20.   The US like any other countries needs to secure its borders and reduce the impact of chain migration.
21.   Once inflow rates are better managed than the country can regulate its policies to meet specific needs.
22.   Non-Partisan compromises from both sides of the political aisle in the US will be necessary.
23.   However as a consequence of political posturing, special group interests and personal animosity this is unlikely to occur.
24.   Wait and See mode will persist unless strong Executive Action with Legislative Support drives through a policy of Action.
25.   Inaction will worsen the status quo and hurt the nation in the long run.