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While I completely agree that in theory a 100% open policy would be ideal, practically there is no way the US could accommodate the sudden influx of immigrants

While I completely agree that in theory a 100% open policy would be ideal, practically there is no way the US could accommodate the sudden influx of immigrants that would result if we were to completely open our borders. 100% open immigration from Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and similar countries... could possibly work. 100% open immigration to anybody who speaks fluent English... could possibly work. But opening up our borders completely to Eastern Europe, Asia, South America, Africa would create complete chaos. As an immigrant to the US from the former Soviet Union I know how hard it is to really learn the language, the culture, and assimilate to the point where you're actually leading a decent life and being a productive member of society. It took my family about 4 years to really get situated and both of my parents are highly educated with a very strong work ethic and we had previous family living here. And we had to be supported by welfare and other government programs for 3 of those years. Although obviously a net gain over time, it takes a lot of resources to bring an immigrant into the American fold and we don't have enough of those resources to open our doors to everybody right now. And it wouldn't even be good for the immigrants. With a large influx of people from their country coming in, most would probably just settle somewhere together, assimilate much slower and possibly even turn to semi-criminal activity like many Russian immigrants I knew in New York. No, we need to change our immigration policy, but not just by opening up the doors.

grandalf 16y ago
Well, then at least we should increase the number of immigrants by upwards of 10% per year until a point where nobody is turned away. The more immigrants we get, the more channels will exist for assimilation. Many colleges and universities are having a tough time staying in business, and major cities like Detroit are falling into decay b/c nobody wants to live there. When you consider how hard people have to work elsewhere even to get by, pretty much anyone with enough gumption to come to the US would eventually attain a middle class lifestyle, then many would exceed it. And even if some remained very poor, it's probably better to be very poor in the US than in many developing nations.
- uvdiv 16y ago
  Well, then at least we should increase the number of immigrants by upwards of 10% per year until a point where nobody is turned away. I see where you're coming from (trying to avoid economic shock with abrupt policy changes), but since millions of Mexicans are already immigrating extra-legally, would it make a meaningful difference?
  - grandalf 16y ago
    I think it would slow things down a bit and allow firms in the US time to begin offering services to the new immigrants... it would also give would-be immigrants time to brush up on their English before they arrived.
araes 16y ago
This is largely hyperbole and anecdotal evidence. Where you say you were from a highly educated family with a strong work ethic, and took several years to be stable, I can point to reams of illegally immigrating Mexicans who are uneducated, the definition of dirt poor, by definition take limited gov't funding, and yet still make ends meet. Yes, heavy immigration would be tough on some, and would require expansion of immigration services, but would be far from chaos. If there was still a requirement for a verified job, or some other method of supporting yourself, it would be a net boon. In addition, many of these immigrants would bring funds which would be spent while they established themselves. America needs people. We're enormous, have a surplus of many natural resources (including food) and we're turning people away who are perfectly qualified. We're also far too insular for our own good, and need the exposure of mixing cultures to keep the melting pot working. Those people may establish enclaves, but over time they integrate and enrich us simply due to edge interactions. Chinese, Irish, Russians - they've all formed enclaves at some point in America, and yet have still contributed to our society.

grandalf 16y ago

Well, then at least we should increase the number of immigrants by upwards of 10% per year until a point where nobody is turned away. The more immigrants we get, the more channels will exist for assimilation. Many colleges and universities are having a tough time staying in business, and major cities like Detroit are falling into decay b/c nobody wants to live there. When you consider how hard people have to work elsewhere even to get by, pretty much anyone with enough gumption to come to the US would eventually attain a middle class lifestyle, then many would exceed it. And even if some remained very poor, it's probably better to be very poor in the US than in many developing nations.

uvdiv 16y ago
Well, then at least we should increase the number of immigrants by upwards of 10% per year until a point where nobody is turned away. I see where you're coming from (trying to avoid economic shock with abrupt policy changes), but since millions of Mexicans are already immigrating extra-legally, would it make a meaningful difference?
- grandalf 16y ago
  I think it would slow things down a bit and allow firms in the US time to begin offering services to the new immigrants... it would also give would-be immigrants time to brush up on their English before they arrived.

araes 16y ago

This is largely hyperbole and anecdotal evidence. Where you say you were from a highly educated family with a strong work ethic, and took several years to be stable, I can point to reams of illegally immigrating Mexicans who are uneducated, the definition of dirt poor, by definition take limited gov't funding, and yet still make ends meet. Yes, heavy immigration would be tough on some, and would require expansion of immigration services, but would be far from chaos. If there was still a requirement for a verified job, or some other method of supporting yourself, it would be a net boon. In addition, many of these immigrants would bring funds which would be spent while they established themselves. America needs people. We're enormous, have a surplus of many natural resources (including food) and we're turning people away who are perfectly qualified. We're also far too insular for our own good, and need the exposure of mixing cultures to keep the melting pot working. Those people may establish enclaves, but over time they integrate and enrich us simply due to edge interactions. Chinese, Irish, Russians - they've all formed enclaves at some point in America, and yet have still contributed to our society.