The New Chinese Exclusion Act? Whatever.

Mid last week, a premature leak on President Bush’s immigration reform plan caused a stir within the Asian American community.

The plan in a nutshell:

• Illegal immigrants would have to pay $3,500 for a Z work visa. They would also be required to renew that visa every 3 years and pay the same amount for each renewal.
• For a green card, an illegal immigrant would have to leave the U.S., apply for it at a U.S. embassy, and additionally pay a $10,000 fine.
• Finally, the plan would severely limit the ability of legal immigrants to bring their parents, siblings, or children over 21 into the U.S.

If passed, this law would substantially affect Asian Americans, especially considering that China, Vietnam, and India are among the top 10 countries whose immigrants arrive by family sponsorship. Liberal API activists are calling Bush’s newest immigration plan “inhumane” and “un-American.” Some community leaders, like the executive director of OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans), are calling this plan the modern day Chinese Exclusion Act.

Though my feelings on immigration law are currently mixed, the analogy of this reform plan to the Chinese Exclusion Act is a preposterous hyperbole.

First of all, no bill has been introduced. The source of all this controversy and public outcry comes from a paper document that merely represents “discussion points” drafted by Republican Congressional representatives. Secondly, the Chinese Exclusion Act originated from anti-Chinese sentiments coming mainly from California. That Act virtually banned emigration from China. This new immigration plan does no such thing. It singles out no particular group of people. The American government has a legitimate interest in preserving economic opportunities in America for Americans. This plan represents a stricter, no-nonsense, un-patronizing approach to immigration and I do not oppose it.

I love America and I am proud to be a U.S. citizen. Asians have historically been marginalized in this country and I recognize that. However, if we do not even identify ourselves as Americans and claim pride in that identification, then how can we expect anyone else to consider us Americans? Citizenship ought to be symbolic as well, and not merely a means to an economic end. Too many Asian immigrants view U.S. citizenship irreverently. Enough of them cheat their taxes, exploit Medicaid, still cannot recite the pledge of allegiance, and give nothing back to this country that has given them so much. A tighter immigration policy would compel such people to see the worth of citizenship. Make it difficult, and then they will learn to appreciate it.

We are a nation of immigrants. I want that heritage to continue. Nonetheless, I wonder: At what point does an unregulated open door immigration policy become a burden and liability to the present citizens of this country? A balanced route is difficult to map out for such an issue. Many Asian American activists throw their support at the STRIVE Act of 2007, which would toughen border security, but provide a reasonable program for undocumented immigrant workers to obtain citizenship. Of course they would–the STRIVE Act clearly targets the Latino community, not the Asians. I, however, remain highly skeptical of all of the above.