Immigration seems to be one of the most contentious issues of this decade. I say “seems” because much more is going on than immigration itself, and the issue isn’t a single issue, but encompasses a wide variety of issues all across the spectrum.
I asked my readers if they thought immigration into the U.S. should be permitted, and the results are in.
Not surprisingly, almost everyone thought immigration should be permitted, either with or without conditions. The completely unscientific and probably meaningless vote totals broke down like this:
| 51% | Yes |
| 28% | Sometimes |
| 19% | No |
| 2% | I don’t know |
I’ve been studiously avoiding the issue of immigration precisely because of its complexity. Simply to attempt to state an informed opinion on the matter would require one to be informed of all the relevant issues, and while I can’t say I’m sufficiently informed on all of the relevant issues, I can say that as a supporter of liberty for all, I can’t oppose immigration outright.
Anyone who feels he must move to another place in order to make a better life for himself should not be prevented from doing so. At the same time, such a person should not be allowed to make himself better by violence or fraud. We already call these crimes, and making more laws, either against them or to perpetuate them, is pointless.
It’s equally pointless to build a fence; as long as there are people who want to either improve their lives or get a free ride on welfare at the expense of others, they will find a way here. Rather, the solution to the immigration problem, if it can even be said to be a problem at all, is to allow those who want to work to work, and to deny welfare to those who could work, but refuse to do so.
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Firas
Apr 24, 2006
I think borders should be literally open–just walk across
Then the only barrier to living/working anywhere in the world would be property values etc., which is definitely a ‘real’ barrier, but less horrid than immigration services…
(Do you think this will eventually happen? Or will we always be tribalistic enough to have ‘nations’? Hmmm…)
Michael Hampton
Apr 24, 2006
Firas, one would have to effectively eliminate government to achieve that sort of utopia. I don’t know if this can be achieved in my lifetime, though I hope our descendants will someday look back on history and wonder how it could ever have been that one man could rule another.
Firas
Apr 25, 2006
Well, I don’t think you need global utopia to get the right to unfettered travel and relocation, just less governmental militarism and better police force cooperation between countries.
You’ll need an ‘earth citizen’ ID, of course, but you need passports nowadays anyway, so…
(Regarding one man ruling another, I don’t think the causation starts with the ‘empowered class’, ie., I think it’s:
* Humans are insane -> Hence power centralization -> Hence government,
Not:
Power centralization -> People in power want to stay there -> Hence government.
I think utopia would require a less fucked up human consciousness, not just ‘dissolution of power’… My PoV is Marxistic in a sense I guess, that at some point of societal progress government will just ‘melt away’.)
Michael Hampton
Apr 25, 2006
I’d love to believe that at some point the government would just melt away, but government has never gone down without a fight. Not at any time in human history. I suspect Marx was smoking something illegal when he wrote that.
May 04, 2006
What’s wrong with high gas prices? - Homeland Security or Homeland Stupidity
chris
May 07, 2006
i am a son of an immigant and i think that it should be toufer on it but to cut off all is wrong it would cut off are supply to the forgin trade and that would be wrong and plus it helps to bring more jobs too
Mike
Sep 15, 2006
“pointless to build a fence”
Just like it’s pointless to have police.
For that fact, it’s pointless to have laws. People are going to break the law if they want to!
Michael Hampton
Sep 15, 2006
Having a border fence has little to do with having police, or laws, generally.
Marisela
Dec 09, 2006
I thing that being an ilegal immigrat is not bad because you are working to send something to eat to your family, and the fence in the border is not going to stop ilegal immigration.
anonymous
Apr 30, 2007
sweet
Kyle
Jun 04, 2007
O.K. I am not entirely against the idea of imigration nor am I entirely for it. I would like to say that to allow the border to be open completely is just an idea that would lead to an economical demolition and though I would not be against the idea of not have a government like the one I live in now. I would like to say that immigration is a great idea, but to let them flow in from all around the world is to simply go and live in a city where there are no backyards which some may find not to bad to live with, but frankly I like to have my green land. I also and i repeat am “NOT” against the idea of having people some in, but a leading reason for most of the crime in the world is the lack of jobs and money for some people. There will also be people taking other jobs from people leading them to collect off of the social security that this country has made for those who cannoit help themselves. You might try to come back with “You have to be an american citizen to collect it”. The I will reply with the new people coming in no matter what ethnicity will lead to loss of other jobs for people who are citizens and then those who aren’t citizens will work for less to get a job and the people who are citizens will have to collect social security.
felicia
Oct 26, 2007
I AGREE WITH MOST OF YOU GUYS! I DONT NOT THINK IT IS FAIR THAT HUMAN BEINGS LIKE US HAVE TO BE TREATED AWFUL AND FORCED TO STAY WERE THEY DISLIKE AND STRUGGLE SO MUCH TO FEED THERE FAMILY, IT IS NOT RIGHT AND BELIEVE IF THERE WAS NEVR A BORDER THERE WOULDNT B SUCH VIOLENCE! I BELIEVE ONE DAY THINGS WILL CHANGE AND IT TAKES EVRYONE TO DO SO. I PLAN TO CHANGE THE WORLD OR TRY!!!
FELICIA
ashley
Nov 07, 2007
illegal immigration should be allowed after all our ancestors did it! what would this country be without it thats what makes the american melting pot
jacky
Nov 20, 2007
our lives have been enhanced by immigrants creating new forms of work. Rather than what people think of them as just taking U.S jobs that Americans were not willing to take in the first place. America, also know as the “nation of immigrants”, have always stood for its diversity and freedom. So why must we deprive these foreigners of a better life and national security? By what means shall we deny those who come here in search of help and a better future?
Opening up these borders to illegal immigrants whom truly wish to benefit our country would better the future ways of life. For instance, it would create new better paid jobs and opportunities for local workers..
yes? no? i dont know.
but life sure would be better without all these problems :/
michael hitchcock
Dec 06, 2007
ok i thing this is stupid i believe you should stay where you live and thats that
ricardo vega
Dec 19, 2007
-let immigrents to the U S
CLS
Jan 17, 2008
I think think dat immigration should be allowed because everyone somehow is a immigrant because of there ancestors not everyone in the U.S. was born here some were but what about their mom grandma greatgrandme ect. U.S. is a state of oppurtunity why not give immigration an oppurtinity dats wat i think.
clitn
Feb 19, 2008
i think that one should follow the heart and if that means movin well get your ass there, and if your doing it to help somone heck ill help (not really) but would it be right if we had to stay somewhere we didnt want to be??? didnt think so, so whne i get older im gonna blow up the border so no one can bitch about it any more cuz its driving me INSANE (not really either) but you get my point
Navneet
Mar 04, 2008
Hell no. Immigration SHOULD NOT be allowed. It is ruining the face of America. This is rediculous. Gas prize are rising , everything is rising, Jobs are decreasing. Is everyone out of their head, Being an indian, yes my family are immigrants. But that doesn’t mean everone should have the right to just pack their bags as they please and come tro the U.S there should be certain regulations with immigartion. For example: If you have good past record in the previous country, only than are you permitted to come to the U.S. The u.s is being poured by immigrants left and right. We have to think better for the country and its future. It is going insane. If i ever became the president i would make sure ILLEGAL immigartion is stopped and certain regulation agaist immigartion should be made. There has to be a limit. People come to the us because its a rich country. If this continues IT WON’T BE RICH COUNTRY. Even Chia with its tremendous population will be richer than the U.S around 2050. It is stupid and IMMIGARTION SHOULD BE BANNED WITROUT QUESTION.
\
Thank you very much.
Navneet
Mar 04, 2008
BTW… excuse my typos, i am just pised off.
Onyx
Mar 05, 2008
it is bullshit to them out.
Onyx
Mar 05, 2008
this is so much bullshit to keep immigrants out. they deserve to have a happy life aswell
SHORB
Nov 09, 2009
where not saying that you can just pack youe bags and move in. i just think that the laws of immagration sould allow more people in. more money will curculate in our economy and the government will have more money from taxes, hence we have better roads,more goverment jobs, more jobe for lae enforcement,ect…
jose
Dec 02, 2009
man why can we live in peace,why does the government has to ban immigrants from ome to the u.s it is just a regular country is not like the most important thing in the world come on mannnnnnnnnnn
jose
Dec 02, 2009
hey you racist navneet why do u say that imagine if u where a immigrant what will u do tell me @##$
Anonymous
Jan 06, 2010
i think immigration in the U.S should be allowed as well but if you open the borders it would be hard to find a good job cause there would be more low payed jobs and they can easily find people to take the jobs.
junior
Jan 06, 2010
(Navneet) you are wrong about banning immigration. you are right about first checking an immagrants backround if they have not done anything wrong then they should be allowed in the U.S. They just want what is best for their families SINCE THIS COUNTRY WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM
junior
Jan 06, 2010
(Firas)
i think immigration in the U.S should be allowed as well but if you open the borders it would be hard to find a good job cause there would be more low payed jobs and they can easily find people to take the jobs.
~!OK
Jan 20, 2010
i have to kno if they should or should not and im not gettin any kind of help so please help me thank u
hestes
Mar 17, 2010
immigration should not be allowed because they are lazy and wrothless
gygug
Mar 18, 2010
ithink there should be immagration
alex
Apr 02, 2010
being a daughter of immigrant parents i think we should allow it. Everyone has the right to live happy were all human beings there is nothing that really seperates this world from us not being citizens, this world is all ONE piece its not meant to go through stupid stuff that doesnt really matter and jus watch one of these days we will ALL be here mo matter what so for the people that dont like it well……..to bad deal with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
caitlin
Apr 07, 2010
noooo dont agree immigrants take our jobs and jack planes and destroy our cities….i say no to immigrants.
josh
Apr 08, 2010
caitlin your a dumbasss
davidbaka
Apr 13, 2010
lol at caitlin
Anonymous
Apr 13, 2010
no cause then it would b over populated
chance
Apr 20, 2010
then u would probably band…if your not indian! which i bet your not!!!
someone
Apr 20, 2010
Yes immagrents should be allowed becasue sometimes people cant afford living where they live and want the best for there family !!!!!
Stefanie
Apr 22, 2010
I say yes to immigration because amercia was found by immigrates.
America can not discriminate a gruop of people beacuse they wanted the infamous american dream.If amercia were to discriminate then what meaning ould the staute of liberty have then?
People dont understand why you want to cross the border and risk your life.
Put your self in an immigratens shoes how you would feel.
Immigration affects everybody in america.
The united states is like a drunk person who dosent know how to make decisons for immgration.
Were not looking where it really matters.
By discrimating were not going to slove nothing.
Thats my point of view leave comments ill love to hear them
Stefanie
Apr 22, 2010
ohhh. and i forgot to say about how you said tha we take your jobs we dont take your jobs you know we need oppertunites just like you guys have them me coming from a family that has some immmgirtes in them
shyanne
Apr 23, 2010
dude first chill hut i mean come on people just want to have a better life besides you are probably just jelous that these people have all of tht courage i mean come on if you are a immagrant your self what do you see that is wrong with it
Anonymous
May 17, 2010
BLAH
jermaine
Aug 13, 2010
no put fence up up for those immigrant bastereds there taking us citizens jobs and by fence i mean electric fence. so fuck immigrants
anonymous
Sep 30, 2010
I dont think that immigration should be legalized ; would we be allowed to live in their country’s if the USA was poor NO so why should they be able to come & live here get on well fair & kill etc. but everyone who’s mexican shouldn’t get in trouble or questioned I disagree w| that but immigration should be BANNED !!!
Anonymous
Nov 01, 2010
We might as well just let people come in and take our land if that’s what you’re saying. Sure America is still young and growing, but think about this – A family limits their children so they have enough support for raising them. If there was to be a sudden adoptiong of say… 10 more children, forced upon that family, then it would be seriously difficult to keep them. They can work all they want, but they’re not as adept to the working conditions as someone that’s been raised by the family.
Michael
Nov 09, 2010
i thought the united state was suppose to be the land of the free. They come here so they can start fresh a new life Those fences aren’t gonna stop them from crossing. they come to work hard and to make a better life so their children would have a chance they didnt so yea thats wut i think.
Christ
Dec 14, 2010
fuck all the people on this muthafucking page includeing me muthafuckeaa
art
Jan 13, 2011
(jermaine)
your an idot, because immagrents arent takeing your jobs
all your dumbasses dont go out and look 4 the job
most imagrents do all the labor jobs 4 you and for a 4 a cheap as pay
i know ur fucken dumbass and others dont find a job because u dont fucken look for one
if you really want a job like an imagrent dose, go look for one in the fields even though you’ll get payed a piece of shit.
thats right you guys are the lazy one that dont really want the jobs
imagrents dont take your jobs
lance
Jan 24, 2011
i am hitler kill all immagrents
lance
Jan 24, 2011
burn the jews
lance
Jan 24, 2011
KKK hang the nigs
Brad Pitt
Feb 15, 2011
Peace and Love <3
Brad Pitt
Feb 15, 2011
Don’t be silly wrap your willy, if she’s spunky cover your monkey…..DONT BE A FOOL WRAP YOUR SHIT:)))
Bros b4 immigrants, if you have a problem call me at 719-433-2333
JESUS
Feb 15, 2011
I never cover my willy
Brad Pitt
Feb 15, 2011
No wonder you have a whole shit ton of children.
))
JESUS
Feb 15, 2011
FUCK YOU, BRAD!!!!!!
You’re just jealous you don’t get pussy like ME!!!!
Brad Pitt
Feb 15, 2011
Remember Jesus you already fucked me….last night.
Harry Potter
Feb 15, 2011
I remember that…I was there.
JESUS
Feb 15, 2011
I wouldnt touch you with aten foot pole!!!!
*LIKCKING LIPS*
I have a huge thing for the girls from 2 girls 1 cup
Brad Pitt
Feb 15, 2011
It was magical.:)
yournightmare
Mar 14, 2011
i say fuck off all you dumb idiots..mexicans are going to take over and all you other idiots are just gonna be there ..if you kno what i mean..you dumb white people fuck off and kiss my ass..snd hahaha
beaner
Apr 08, 2011
LMAOOO fuckk all these mexican people, they think they are WORTH a damn… they keep fooling themselves into thinking they are better or amazing, when they are just pathetic ass fuckin people like this guy on top of me
FUCK YOU BEANER, you will die a BEAN
andrew
May 13, 2011
HORRIBLE SPELLERS SHOULD BE OUTLAWED.
F>M
Jun 01, 2011
can’t we all just get along…. we are all immigrants in one way or another. This is what makes America, well, America. All the different cultures combines living among each other.. you know you love tacos, and rap music, and your ipods and iphones. see? there you have Mexican, Black, and asian contributions!! with so many more!! think about it, how boring would it be if everyone was the same? I love America….
habasila gladwell
Jan 17, 2012
its quite t9o hear some of the comments from u pipo. but all i can say is that: immigration should not be banned, no immigrant just come to take ur jobs Americans, if there is one, then it means that u urselves cannot work,, dats y immigrants are coming in to tek yr jobs bcoz ur jst too lazzy to work for urselves.