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Expanding visa programs will be controversial so long as large numbers of Americans are unemployed. This particular group is controversial (also) because they

Expanding visa programs will be controversial so long as large numbers of Americans are unemployed. This particular group is controversial (also) because they are taking a position on controversial non-immigration issues, such as oil drilling and pipelines. "Controversial" doesn't mean it's right or wrong. It means that many people have strong arguments and emotions both for and against.

twoodfin 13y ago
Are you sure? Because at least in the conservative spheres I pay attention to (admittedly of the less populist variety) almost no one opposes skilled visa expansion. All the light and heat is about legalization. I get the impression that if President Obama went on TV tomorrow and said "Comprehensive immigration reform is a bridge too far right now. Let's simplify and expand the process of legal immigration for skilled workers", then he'd have a bill on his desk in a week.
- yaok 13y ago
  Are you sure the democrats want to seen as the party that, during a time of record unemployment, brought in foreign workers to fill job openings?
wahsd 13y ago
That's because "immigration" in this country is actually veiled dilution of the worker pool, externalizing costs, lazy, inflation of limited resources and thereby self-perpetuating wealth creation, deflates source country pressures for improvement, and drains talent from other places. It is a pernicious practice all around and only advantages the wealthy of the destination country, i.e., USA. It's destructive, poisoning, and exploitative all around for everyone else.
- icebraining 13y ago
  How does it not benefit the immigrants themselves?
- ajju 13y ago
  I am an immigrant, and coming here was constructive, sustaining and a very positive thing for me. I got a graduate degree here, and then started a startup that employs several people, enables our users to to access transportation much more easily (and in some cases safely) millions of times every year. I don't see how me coming to the United States has been a net loss for anyone. I know (personally) at least 100 other people like me.
  - twelvechairs 13y ago
    Not to speak on behalf of GP, but I think the issue is not you as a successful permanent immigrant, but the way the system holds other potential immigrants out and permits some only on short-term visas who then get dumped back to their places of origin.
    - ajju 13y ago
      "immigration" in this country....[is] destructive, poisoning, and exploitative all around for everyone else. GP didn't single out immigrants who come here on short-term visas, but even if he had, I came here on a short term visa, and so did every single one of the 100 people I referred to. It is true that many had to go back to their places of origin. In some cases they suffered because of it, although I'd argue their place of origin benefited. In some cases they started startups after returning, and both they and their place of origin benefited.

twoodfin 13y ago

Are you sure? Because at least in the conservative spheres I pay attention to (admittedly of the less populist variety) almost no one opposes skilled visa expansion. All the light and heat is about legalization. I get the impression that if President Obama went on TV tomorrow and said "Comprehensive immigration reform is a bridge too far right now. Let's simplify and expand the process of legal immigration for skilled workers", then he'd have a bill on his desk in a week.

yaok 13y ago
Are you sure the democrats want to seen as the party that, during a time of record unemployment, brought in foreign workers to fill job openings?

wahsd 13y ago

That's because "immigration" in this country is actually veiled dilution of the worker pool, externalizing costs, lazy, inflation of limited resources and thereby self-perpetuating wealth creation, deflates source country pressures for improvement, and drains talent from other places. It is a pernicious practice all around and only advantages the wealthy of the destination country, i.e., USA. It's destructive, poisoning, and exploitative all around for everyone else.

icebraining 13y ago
How does it not benefit the immigrants themselves?
ajju 13y ago
I am an immigrant, and coming here was constructive, sustaining and a very positive thing for me. I got a graduate degree here, and then started a startup that employs several people, enables our users to to access transportation much more easily (and in some cases safely) millions of times every year. I don't see how me coming to the United States has been a net loss for anyone. I know (personally) at least 100 other people like me.
- twelvechairs 13y ago
  Not to speak on behalf of GP, but I think the issue is not you as a successful permanent immigrant, but the way the system holds other potential immigrants out and permits some only on short-term visas who then get dumped back to their places of origin.
  - ajju 13y ago
    "immigration" in this country....[is] destructive, poisoning, and exploitative all around for everyone else. GP didn't single out immigrants who come here on short-term visas, but even if he had, I came here on a short term visa, and so did every single one of the 100 people I referred to. It is true that many had to go back to their places of origin. In some cases they suffered because of it, although I'd argue their place of origin benefited. In some cases they started startups after returning, and both they and their place of origin benefited.