Don't let nativism cloud the immigration debate

The Washington Examiner ^ | July 10, 2014 | Shikha Dalmia

[2ndDivisionVet]

Here’s a question for the proud Americans demanding that the unaccompanied foreign children showing up at our borders be deported: Suppose that one of these “illegal” minors was your neighbor, living with his aunt and uncle, going to school during the day, kicking ball with friends in the evening, trying hard to put the traumatic journey from his native, violence-ridden country to America behind him. Would you, with a clear conscience, pick up the phone and turn him in?

If the answer is “no,” then it is time for you to throw out your “Return to Sender” signs. Why? Because asking your government to do what you can’t ain’t right!

America is blessed with a rich and stable neighbor on the north and oceans on the east and west. Hence, it is naturally insulated from the nasty side effects of civil wars, famines and other catastrophes outside its borders that other countries routinely confront. But unless it relocates to another planet, it can’t completely cut itself off from foreign upheavals, especially those it has a hand in causing.

Anti-immigration hardliners are blaming the surge of minors - 90,000 alone this year, a five-fold increase from 2011 -- on America's lenient deportation policies and the prospect of “amnesty.” The reality is more complicated.

The surge comes almost exclusively from three of the most dangerous countries in the hemisphere -- Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Why are they so dangerous? In part, because of America's illicit drug war.

This trillion-dollar war puts the onus on Latin American countries to stop drugs from flowing into the U.S. -- rather than on the U.S. to curb its own appetite. America has conditioned aid and market access on how hard these countries crack down on drug dealers...

[2ndDivisionVet]

So all eight billion people in the world are welcome here?

SHIKHA DALMIA, a Washingon Examiner columnist, is a senior policy analyst at Reason Foundation, a nonprofit think tank advancing free minds and free markets. Columbia University's Eric Haskell provided valuable research assistance for this piece.

[vladimir998]

“Because asking your government to do what you can’t ain’t right! “

So all taxation will now cease right? I mean, I can’t tax myself, so...

[headstamp 2]

“Reason Foundation”

Another liberaltarian think tank

[MortMan]

Bull freaking crap! They have NO RIGHT to be in this country.

Any words to the contrary are absolute pure bull crap.

[rktman]

Drop a quarter and send the trespasser and those who gave him/her aid and comfort on a long train ride to Costa Rica. Millions have done it the right way. Why should these folks be given special treatment just because the speak spanglish? More like a non profit/for profit stink tank. Not a think tank.

[Laissez-faire capitalist]

A partial repeal of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, signed by GWB, would be a major hit to GWB’s legacy, and he may not take kindly to this, and this may upset GWB’s supporters, Karl Rove, Jeb Bush and others. I personally could care less what they say, and don't care much for Boehner, Rove, etc...

Yes, we are under a planned invasion, but Boehner has pounded the drum that Obama does not uphold and defend the law. Yes, Obama does neither, but f Obama does so now with this Act, Boehner will have put the GOP in a pickle.

[SECURE AMERICA]

Being my neighbor does not remove the status of criminal from anyone. If my neighbor robs a bank I want him to go to jail.
The fact remains that this is an illegal invasion of our nation and our Government MUST put a stop to it.

[x1stcav]

This fellow left ‘reason’ at the door.

I’m assuming, strictly from his surname, that he’s not native-born. So I guess that makes me a ‘nativist’.

It sure does. How does he/she assume they knew what or forebears wanted this country to be?

Go away! Leftist, third-world, pest!

[TheDon]

Here’s a question for the proud Americans demanding that the unaccompanied foreign children showing up at our borders be deported: Suppose that one of these “illegal” minors was your neighbor, living with his aunt and uncle, ... Would you, with a clear conscience, pick up the phone and turn him in?

My conscience would compel me to pickup the phone and reunite the child with his parents. I'm all about family.

[RWGinger]

I see this writer never lets facts get in the way of his agenda.
So many people are bemoaning that these illegals are fleeing a dangerous p0verty mired place. the writer needs to check out the murders in Chicago. Houston Detriot Phully new Orleans etc just over the week end
and then the writer and all the others spouting the extreme poverty nonsense might stop and wonder how people in extreme poverty all cam up with the thousands to pay the coyotes.
last the writer should ask why Mexico is giving these illegals a pass to get here and even giving money to the illegal minors to get here

[cripplecreek]

Wheeling out all the old cannards aren’t they.

[DoughtyOne]

Yep, I’ll have to admit it.

There’s really nothing wrong with 100s of thousands of foreign national pouring across our border every month.

I had to take a good look in the mirror and admit it.

I’m the real problem. I’m to much a nativist.

[insert sound of needle going across a record here]

WTF has this knuckle-dragging Leftist been drinking, paint thinner?

Nativist?

At what point does loyal citizenship come into play?

In a sane nation, people like this guy would be charged with treason. I’m sorry, but the time has come to call a spade a spade. Bring the guy up on charges, misinformation and acting as an agent for the enemies of our nation.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Tell me who is letting “nativism” cloud the debate? Who? Every conservative I know focuses on the rule of law. The idea of letting a mob of people in illegally, without screening for their criminal past or diseases, is abhorrent. Not using any logic as to who to let in — letting skilled workers in first or other logical criteria — is abhorrent. Letting border-crossers in ahead of immigrants who have waited for years going through the legal process is abhorrent. I don’t know of any credible person who is saying don’t let immigrants in because we hate Latinos or want a “white” country. This “nativism” argument is a straw man.

[CatherineofAragon]

"Here’s a question for the proud Americans demanding that the unaccompanied foreign children showing up at our borders be deported: Suppose that one of these “illegal” minors was your neighbor, living with his aunt and uncle, going to school during the day, kicking ball with friends in the evening, trying hard to put the traumatic journey from his native, violence-ridden country to America behind him. Would you, with a clear conscience, pick up the phone and turn him in? "

It wouldn't have gotten that far along with me. Before anyone illegal had a chance to settle in, I'd be on the phone reporting him or her.

"Shikha Sood Dalmia" is a native of India who makes money mocking "proud Americans." She can go right the hell back where she came from.

[facedown]

This is about the fifth article I’ve seen today blaming the “War on Drugs”. Evidently that’s the new focus-group tested meme from the left.

[SECURE AMERICA]

“Because asking your government to do what you can’t ain’t right! “

Need me to drive a truck?
Fly a plane?
Stand guard at the border with a weapon?
I am asking my Government to follow the law.
I am asking my Government to do what we elected it to do.
Today its 90 thousand next year its 900 thousand. We the people are not going to allow that....

[SECURE AMERICA]

“Because asking your government to do what you can’t ain’t right! “

Need me to drive a truck?
Fly a plane?
Stand guard at the border with a weapon?
I am asking my Government to follow the law.
I am asking my Government to do what we elected it to do.
Today its 90 thousand next year its 900 thousand. We the people are not going to allow that....

[alpo]

0bama has pulled the border patrol back 45 miles in some areas so the invaders are already ‘here’ when they are met by the Patrol.

There are 5 people over the age of 15 for every ‘child’.
All the photos I’ve seen show the child holding an adult’s hand.

[Socon-Econ]

It doesn’t matter how family oriented they are or how nice their kids are — if they snuck and lied their way in, kick them out.

And let those who point their fingers at the natives about compassion bear the cost of their so-called compassion. The illegals can stay in their houses.

[2ndDivisionVet]

The author