This article is taken directly from The Week magazine, which, interestingly, is published weekly. It’s a compilation of what the publishers believe to be “The Best of the U.S. and International Media”. The December 10th issue has an article from Canada under Best columns: International written by Margaret Wente of The Globe and Mail. The following is a direct quote:
‘“Canada is paying the price for “a huge flaw in our immigration system” said Margaret Wente. Thanks to our immigration policy’s generous support for family reunification, which prioritizes foreign relatives of citizens over skilled applicants, this country is being overrun by immigrants who can’t speak English or French. Because Canada has no language proficiency or education requirements for relatives, anyone whose sibling or child marries a Canadian can get in. As a result, a “scandalous spousal industry” has sprung up, enticing desperate Pakistanis or Somalis to pay their entire fortunes in dowry money to get their children into Canada. Aged parents are then brought to Canada “not because of filial concern, but because the parents will collect old-age pensions.” Our “courts, hospitals, and social services struggle to accommodate” these people’s needs – and they are often among the neediest. Perhaps it’s time to emulate Australia, which has a strict English proficiency requirement for all immigrants and doesn’t automatically let in a citizen’s entire extended family. Australia “tells immigrants that if they miss their elderly parents, they should buy a plane ticket home.” Sound harsh? It’s actually kinder. Without language skills, immigrants are “cut off from mainstream society.” That’s not a very Canadian way to live.”’
Margaret Wente echoes my beliefs from an earlier article, “Without language skills, immigrants are cut off from mainstream society.” This is unhealthy and will eventually lead to social unrest. When it does, we will only have ourselves to blame. The practice of allowing schools to teach in foreign languages hinders the assimilation of immigrants into our society. Catering to foreigners with multi-lingual signs further emphasizes the differences in our cultures. There are no successful executives, politicians or national leaders who are unable to speak English. To succeed in this country English is necessary.
Yet, we must to “Press 1 to continue in English.”
I have nothing against immigrants. I am the son of an immigrant. But coming to America with the expectation of collecting a welfare check is absurd. The American dream does not come gift-wrapped on a silver platter – it is the opportunity to work to obtain happiness.
That said, many immigrants, particularly from South and Central America, are very hard-working. While many are illegal, I think it’s a positive statement on this nation’s prosperity that millions are willing to risk life and limb, hiking and swimming to come to this country to work.
For national security reasons, I believe we need to secure our boarder. Is it reasonable, though, to think we can deport the millions who are here illegally? The costs and needed man-force would require a powerful, central government with a massive domestic army of police and intelligence personnel. Call me paranoid, but I’m not sure I’m willing to allow my government to obtain those powers for the sake of deporting illegals.
Moreover, is it desirable to prevent them from obtaining citizenship? I’m hardly suggesting we provide them with amnesty, but a simple, incentivized path to citizenship would seem acceptable. Even if we make it more difficult to bring them in, can we really hope for improvement making nomads out of immigrants pushed from state to state as undesirables? They provide important manpower to the American workforce and contribute billions to our economy. Do we really want them unemployed, living under bridges?
In addition, there are many well-intentioned people who advocate the AZ immigration law’s institution in Maryland. These individuals should think twice, though. AZ calls for the use of drivers’ licenses as a method of proving citizenship. In Maryland, thousands of licenses have been issued to illegals. Yet the advocates of such legislation have stated that they would not change the wording or provisions of the law, and simply propose the AZ bill, word for word. In other words, a GOP-sponsored immigration bill would swiftly provide amnesty to thousands of illegals in Maryland. A certain House of Delegates candidate in northern Baltimore County was chastised, though, by party insiders for raising this issue. I hope said former candidate continues to speak out on the issue – he is well-informed and wise – and many stand to benefit from his wisdom.
I would also advise caution to those who simply want to clamp down on businesses without a thoughtful process for making citizenship meaningful and possible for the illegals already here.
Not pro-amnesty. Just pro-thoughtful, considered legislation to solve the illegal immigration crisis.
Comment by Mike Estève — January 7, 2011 @ 2:07 AM