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:
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.
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Kyle de Beausset wrote:
I wasn’t able to find your contact info but I enjoy your blog and I was wondering if you would be interested in a link exchange with Immigration Orange. Email me at beausset at fas dot harvard dot edu if your interested. I hope this comment finds you well.
Posted on 16-Apr-07 at 11:51 am | Permalink
Michael Hart wrote:
I found your website through a google search on today’s tragic events in Virginia. While the circumstances bringing me here are horrific, I have to say how impressed I am with your content. I will be spending much ‘on the job’ time perusing! Great work.
Posted on 16-Apr-07 at 4:51 pm | Permalink
Matt Clark wrote:
“Email me at beausset at fas dot harvard dot edu if your [sic] interested.”
Amusing juxtaposition.
Posted on 16-Apr-07 at 5:22 pm | Permalink
Sanjiv wrote:
At the risk of sounding sarcastic, I sometimes wonder why Asian immigrants (especially skilled, professional ones) even want to come to the United States anymore. My parents came to the States shortly after I was born, from Kerala (it’s in south India), and now wonder what they were thinking– my relatives in Europe, especially in Germany and even in Spain and France are doing much better.
I hate to admit this, but the United States is just a crummy place to be a professional these days. The costs of education alone will put you close to a half million dollars in debt for many fields (esp medicine and law), and it’s very hard to pay that back anymore. Whereas in e.g. France, Belgium or Germany, public education is outstanding and it’s largely free of charge.
Also, most new engineering and comp sci graduates in the US and Canada (including my own sister) wind up working 100-hours a week, for diminishing pay and in basically abusive work environments. About half my friends in the Indian community have basically burned out by age 35– they’re childless, exhausted, and bitterly enough, almost broke. They don’t have time or money to raise kids, and they certainly don’t have it for entrepreneurial pursuits or creative ideas.
For whatever reason, the USA has evolved this very toxic work environment. A friend of mine who was born in Tamil Nadu, came over to the USA at age 5, excelled in school and went into electrical engineering. He was basically used as cheap labor, baited at the workplace, then laid off in 3 years despite working 100-hour weeks. He’s now obese, exhausted, and just about broke.
Whereas for the Indian community in e.g. France, Italy or especially in Germany, people there work maybe 50-60 hour weeks, they earn much more money for those shorter weeks– in part thanks to the fact that the Euro is worth much more than the dollar– have a couple weeks of vacation which they’re encouraged to take, just in general have a better quality of life. New professional mothers get months at home to take care of their kids, and couples can send their kids to great schools without bankrupting themselves. (Britain and Australia are regrettably following the lead of the US and Canada in terms of the way they treat their hard-working professional class– i.e., as expendable.)
Best of all, professionals in a place like Hamburg, Toulouse or Milan have the time in the week available, and the energy, to found new companies. It’s the reverse of 10 years ago, but for a variety of reasons, Continental Europe is a much better place to start a business. Heck, for that matter, South America and East Asia are becoming better destinations for immigrants than Europe is, for a variety of reasons.
Posted on 16-Apr-07 at 9:50 pm | Permalink
Wangus Khan wrote:
The reform policy that is being leaked is not really inhumane (I agree), it’s just not very workable. How many immigrants come to this country with $3500 they can use to pay out for a work visa that will give them a minimum paying job? $3500 will bankrupt them, cause them to resort to crime if somebody loses a job. A green card for $10,000 isn’t very workable as well. I understand the need to enforce the rule of law, and the added benefits of stricter immigration policy, however, this is not a plan which will work effectively. Families will be separated and deported. As you mentioned, what needs to be pursued is a policy on stricter border security, but at the same time, a policy that allows those who are already here to continue their pursuit of happiness.
Posted on 17-Apr-07 at 6:18 am | Permalink
A VA Tradegy and Hate from Homophobes at Steve and Don’s Life of Gorgeousness wrote:
[...] STRIVE = Modern day Chinese Exclusion Act? Interesting article which addresses how the proposed immigration changes in the US will effect the Asian community [source: 8asians]. [...]
Posted on 17-Apr-07 at 11:43 am | Permalink
john patrick wrote:
Akrypti,
you said:
“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.”
I am not as well versed in the legal aspects of immigration as you are, so I will defer to you and continue to read about Strive.
However, do you really think that making immigration difficult will make them appreciate it more? What about just making it more worthwhile?
Also, I understand that this comment was made in the context of immigration reform, and that there are immigrants who cheat the system. But is it appropriate in a democracy to view citizenship with “reverence”? I personally don’t think so. I think it’s enough to teach that citizens have rights and responsibilities, and that cheaters will be punished. I’m not even sure that it’s within the scope of immigration policy to address the cheaters.
Finally, I don’t care for the Pledge of Allegiance. I grew up saying it every day, and I won’t say it anymore. I am a Christian, but also I believe in the separation of Church and State. So I think it’s inappropriate to require people who don’t believe in God to put their hands over their heart and pledge allegiance to the “one nation under God.” Religion is not and should not be a requirement of citizenship.
I know that the Pledge issue is not the point of your original post, but I wanted to bring it up because you lamented that some immigrants don’t even know it. Well, if they are sworn in as citizens, they have to recite it at least once.
Which is one time more than I myself am willing to recite it.
And yes, I do cherish my American citizenship.
Anyway, thanks for keeping us posted on immigration issues.
Posted on 20-Apr-07 at 1:56 am | Permalink