"Mad" Miles
07-10-2010, 10:39 PM
Lies about Undocumented Workers and the Immigration Issue
<o:p></o:p>
By R. Miles Mendenhall <o:p></o:p>
7/10/2010<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Illegal Immigrants, aka undocumented workers, take jobs from hard working American citizens and legal residents.
<o:p></o:p>
They take jobs that involve backbreaking “unskilled”, often dangerous work, at wages and under conditions that no one else will tolerate. If you have a problem with that, talk to their employers. Much of that work requires habits and skills not held by many documented workers. There is a case that can be made claiming undocumented labor serves to drive down the prevailing wage in our economy. Again, talk to the people employing them. They like it that way.
<o:p></o:p>
They overburden our public services; schools, social safety net, hospitals, etc.
<o:p></o:p>
Undocumented immigrants come here to work They pay taxes; Income, Sales, Social Security, and don’t collect because they can’t. The fact that “we” hire them, but don’t make it possible to get drivers licenses and don’t provide health insurance...again, talk to their employers. Because some of them are among the poorest of the poor here, means they suffer the same problems as all poor people. Is that their fault? Or is it the fault of the society, and its leaders, who allow such poverty to exist?
<o:p></o:p>
They’re criminals, drug dealers, drug smugglers, child molesters, murderers, rapists and the scum of the earth.
<o:p></o:p>
The vast majority are conservative, religiously devout, family oriented, hard working and law abiding. Many come as young men (and women), separated from their families and communities. Like many young men away from home all over the world, a few fall into habits that get them caught up with the law. There is no proof that the incidence of crime among these groups is greater than among others. In fact, there is evidence that it is much, much lower. But with the emphasis on them in the news, and the rising tide of anti-immigrant hysteria because of these hard economic times, every instance is exaggerated and played up. It’s a good example of Confirmation Bias (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias). Can you say, xenophobia? Racism? Fear mongering? Hatred?
<o:p></o:p>
They take more than they put back.
<o:p></o:p>
Remittances sent home keep communities and families alive. But the taxes these workers pay stay here. They also pay their way here, for food, clothing, rent (such as it is, crowded into cheap, shoddy and unsafe housing), and other expenses. Got a problem with their living conditions? Talk to their landlords, or should we say, slumlords.
<o:p></o:p>
They won’t assimilate and are a threat to the stability of American (U.S.) culture.
<o:p></o:p>
This was said about every group in every wave of immigration throughout U.S. history. It is no truer now than it was every time before.
<o:p></o:p>
They’re breaking the law!<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
In the sense that they came here without permission from the State Department, yes. But in every other way they are following a fine old American (U.S.) tradition. Seeking opportunity where it can be found, to provide for their families and secure the blessings of our freedoms for themselves and their children.
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
What we need is immigration reform that takes into account what these workers provide to our community, our nation and us. If one looks at the history of immigration and borders, the idea of securing our borders to keep them out, is a fools errand. Expanding opportunity in their home countries is probably the only way they'll stay home.
<o:p></o:p>
Guaranteeing safe, living wage, non-exploitive jobs to citizens and legal residents, in all areas of work here, is the only way to get legal Americans (U.S.) to take jobs in the fields, meat packing factories, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurant kitchens, yards, nurseries, houses and manufacturing shops (currently “sweat shops”) across the land. But with the current economic arrangement, good luck with that!
<o:p></o:p>
The bottom line is, they wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t work for them. If you have a problem with that talk to their employers. But good luck. Huge profits depend on their cheap, easily exploitable and dismissible labor. Same as it’s always been. Those in power will pay lip service to upholding the law, protecting American (U.S.) workers, securing the borders, etc. But even if it were possible to seal the borders, which it isn’t, it’s not going to happen. Because too many palms are greased and too many people are getting a cut.
<o:p></o:p>
Calling for tougher laws is tantamount to pissing into the wind. The laws are on the books, they’re not enforced. They’re not seen as a priority for law enforcement. They never will be as long as the very interests who benefit from this labor are calling the shots.
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
No citations provided. This is all common knowledge to anyone observing the debate. It is known by reading the news, with an open mind in an attempt to find out the truth. I’ve seen statistics and studies supporting all of my claims above. Feel free to dig them up.
<o:p></o:p>
By R. Miles Mendenhall <o:p></o:p>
7/10/2010<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Illegal Immigrants, aka undocumented workers, take jobs from hard working American citizens and legal residents.
<o:p></o:p>
They take jobs that involve backbreaking “unskilled”, often dangerous work, at wages and under conditions that no one else will tolerate. If you have a problem with that, talk to their employers. Much of that work requires habits and skills not held by many documented workers. There is a case that can be made claiming undocumented labor serves to drive down the prevailing wage in our economy. Again, talk to the people employing them. They like it that way.
<o:p></o:p>
They overburden our public services; schools, social safety net, hospitals, etc.
<o:p></o:p>
Undocumented immigrants come here to work They pay taxes; Income, Sales, Social Security, and don’t collect because they can’t. The fact that “we” hire them, but don’t make it possible to get drivers licenses and don’t provide health insurance...again, talk to their employers. Because some of them are among the poorest of the poor here, means they suffer the same problems as all poor people. Is that their fault? Or is it the fault of the society, and its leaders, who allow such poverty to exist?
<o:p></o:p>
They’re criminals, drug dealers, drug smugglers, child molesters, murderers, rapists and the scum of the earth.
<o:p></o:p>
The vast majority are conservative, religiously devout, family oriented, hard working and law abiding. Many come as young men (and women), separated from their families and communities. Like many young men away from home all over the world, a few fall into habits that get them caught up with the law. There is no proof that the incidence of crime among these groups is greater than among others. In fact, there is evidence that it is much, much lower. But with the emphasis on them in the news, and the rising tide of anti-immigrant hysteria because of these hard economic times, every instance is exaggerated and played up. It’s a good example of Confirmation Bias (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias). Can you say, xenophobia? Racism? Fear mongering? Hatred?
<o:p></o:p>
They take more than they put back.
<o:p></o:p>
Remittances sent home keep communities and families alive. But the taxes these workers pay stay here. They also pay their way here, for food, clothing, rent (such as it is, crowded into cheap, shoddy and unsafe housing), and other expenses. Got a problem with their living conditions? Talk to their landlords, or should we say, slumlords.
<o:p></o:p>
They won’t assimilate and are a threat to the stability of American (U.S.) culture.
<o:p></o:p>
This was said about every group in every wave of immigration throughout U.S. history. It is no truer now than it was every time before.
<o:p></o:p>
They’re breaking the law!<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
In the sense that they came here without permission from the State Department, yes. But in every other way they are following a fine old American (U.S.) tradition. Seeking opportunity where it can be found, to provide for their families and secure the blessings of our freedoms for themselves and their children.
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
What we need is immigration reform that takes into account what these workers provide to our community, our nation and us. If one looks at the history of immigration and borders, the idea of securing our borders to keep them out, is a fools errand. Expanding opportunity in their home countries is probably the only way they'll stay home.
<o:p></o:p>
Guaranteeing safe, living wage, non-exploitive jobs to citizens and legal residents, in all areas of work here, is the only way to get legal Americans (U.S.) to take jobs in the fields, meat packing factories, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurant kitchens, yards, nurseries, houses and manufacturing shops (currently “sweat shops”) across the land. But with the current economic arrangement, good luck with that!
<o:p></o:p>
The bottom line is, they wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t work for them. If you have a problem with that talk to their employers. But good luck. Huge profits depend on their cheap, easily exploitable and dismissible labor. Same as it’s always been. Those in power will pay lip service to upholding the law, protecting American (U.S.) workers, securing the borders, etc. But even if it were possible to seal the borders, which it isn’t, it’s not going to happen. Because too many palms are greased and too many people are getting a cut.
<o:p></o:p>
Calling for tougher laws is tantamount to pissing into the wind. The laws are on the books, they’re not enforced. They’re not seen as a priority for law enforcement. They never will be as long as the very interests who benefit from this labor are calling the shots.
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
No citations provided. This is all common knowledge to anyone observing the debate. It is known by reading the news, with an open mind in an attempt to find out the truth. I’ve seen statistics and studies supporting all of my claims above. Feel free to dig them up.