Immigration News: Autumn Holiday Edition

Ed. Note: This week’s Diaspora is short because of the holidays. We’ll be back to full-length next week.

Last Tuesday, Amy Traub dismantled a few harmful myths about immigrants for The Nation. Traub takes on the old ‘immigrants steal our jobs’ myth, saying it “holds no water.” Immigrants of both documented and undocumented status help the economy, and their energy and efforts create jobs that would not exist without their participation. Traub makes a crucial connection clear: Immigrants are a boon to the economy, and “U.S. natives gain $37 billion a year from immigrants’ participation” in the U.S. workforce.

In AlterNet, Timothy Noah outlines the cost of denying immigrants health insurance, dubbing the overall effect a “Nativist Tax.” If we begin restricting the access immigrants have to health care, why not bar them from other parts of society? Why not bar them from the hospital altogether? Why not prevent them from buying milk at the corner store? It’s the beginning of what could be a bad chain reaction.

Katherine Vargas describes her own naturalization ceremony for the Progressive. It’s a good read. Vargas writes that citizenship is not, to her, only about apple pie and baseball, or even the paper we call a passport. To Vargas, citizenship is the ability and right to participate in the political process and take part in the history of the country.

New America Media covered the “Phone Call Heard Around the Country,” a nationwide teleconference on the approaching year and immigration reform. “Tens of thousands” of callers were connected, and on the call—which turned telephones on speakerphone into “de-facto radios” around which so many gathered—legislators urged listeners to “call their members of Congress and ask for action on immigration reform.”

Finally, for some light fare, Wiretap Mag features a “humorous—albeit problematic—parody” of the immigration issue.

I understand why Wiretap deems it problematic. The cartoon tries to create a perfect parallel between the conquest and decimation of the North American indigenous population in the 1600s by Europeans with today’s economically displaced immigrants (who are, themselves, often indigenous, or descended from the indigenous). In this way, it uses the words of the cartoon “Indians” to argue against their own kind. The cartoon is probably quite useful, however, in opening dialogue with younger people on the topic.

The Weekly Diaspora wishes you and yours a satisfying holiday season, whether you are fasting or feasting. May you be safe and with loved ones.

This post features links to the best independent, progressive reporting about immigration by members of The Media Consortium. It is free to reprint. . This is a project of The Media Consortium, a network of leading independent media outlets.

istockphoto
By Nezua, Media Consortium Blogger

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Qin Y.

8:44PM PDT on Jul 27, 2010

For others is the only way of life and the only chance they got, never to waste it.
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send a green star

8:43PM PDT on Jul 27, 2010

For others I am sure the situation is as similar as my situation either economically or politically or both. My point is that the majority of humans can live as poor but happy and free.
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Jason G.

8:31AM PST on Dec 13, 2009

interesting discussions

pam w.

9:31AM PST on Dec 2, 2009

Kamal....what part of "thank you for doing the right thing" and "I wish you well" do you think is an attack?

Suzy s.

8:18AM PST on Dec 2, 2009

I agree with Lorna

Kamal S.

9:38PM PST on Dec 1, 2009

Pam. Why you attacking me now? Can't you just speak with reasons? I guess not. Any how the criminal you talking about were someday the one who approve or disapprove your loans and credit cards applications!! Funny isn't it? I am laughing myself. Any how, I wish you well and when I am back in the States I will make sure to write to you. It will be soon as far as I am tacking my case.
Last thing to say. Try to read what I said in my previous massage to understand what I am talking about that in case you can comprehend. Good bye

7:55PM PST on Dec 1, 2009

I can't talk about past policies...that all happened before my time. And you're right--we can't just throw out millions of people.

BUT...amnesty after amnesty after amnesty programs show that illegals still keep pouring in. Until the US government starts patrolling the borders, they'll keep on doing it, too.

This doesn't excuse them. A criminal is still a criminal...and, Kamal...YOU broke our federal laws and you knew it.

Thanks for doing the right thing. I wish you well.

7:34PM PST on Dec 1, 2009

Pam. The thing I truly don't understand is how the USA government, administration after another dealt with such a problem since early 1920s of the last century " illegal alien problem" specially during Reagan's administration which proven conservative in every signal aspect but once it reached to a decision for US Immigration reform policy, it turned to be as liberal as it can gets. Why the US government administrations, one after another did not shut the boarder in front of millions of Latin American "honestly the only answer I found reasonable is the need for those illegal immigrants" hard working and cheap, never ask for better deal". To me; it was another way of slavery as I have spent one year working some odd jobs for maybe nothing, for others is the only way of life and the only chance they got, never to waste it.
If any one consider US immigration reform; ask for it but in a Human way, you can't just through millions of immigrants off the border after they have spent most of their life working, just working without having any rights to practice and without any protection as one can realize how much illegal aliens are vulnerable also, legalize these people and than shut down your border entirely, remain your focus on family reunion and highly skilled labors.last. just to prove how missed up US Policies with respect to immigration and the thing you probably don't know is that the US accept Egyptian refugees, not beaten up Copts but MOSLUM BROTHERHOOD members.NICE

6:04PM PST on Dec 1, 2009

Kamal, I asked why you went back and I said it must have been hard to do that. I also said you now represent the kind of immigrant we have always welcomed--LEGAL.

The right to LEGALLY immigrate isn't the issue here. Coming illegally--sneaking in--breaking laws is NOT a "human" right.

I'm sure you understand that we have the right to control our borders.

I'm sure you understand that we have the right to control our numbers, too.

There was a time when this country needed large numbers of workers...that time has passed. Our natural resources (food, water, land) are rapidly dwindling.

Allowing uncontrolled, porous borders leaves us vulnerable to security risks. Many if not all of the 9/11 murderers were here illegally.

Allowing overpopulation through unchecked immigration would be incredibly stupid and unfair to unborn generations.

We have a "human right" to protect our country...I'm sure you will agree.

12:30PM PST on Dec 1, 2009

Pam. Why I returned? To finalize my papers to become legal resident!! I think I wrote that down. What do you mean by willing to work? I don't have a grasp of your opinion of people because while I was living in the States I used to work for a bank as I have a University degree and %100 of my ILLEGAL friends were working decently also. You can phrase it the way you like but we still people and we all humans as we speak about human rights and for sure one of the rights you should understand is the right to immigrate and to look for a new land and a new life the way you like, also, you have to understand that there are immigrants every where in the world, United States is not an exception because the States sill part of the world, having that said, you wouldn't believe the number of African immigrants and Arab refugee in a tiny country like South Africa for example !! Pam. I hope you understand my point here.