3 ms·

I am not against free movement between countries, however I do not feel anyone is entitled to move into another country and expecting a hand out. Immigrants use

I am not against free movement between countries, however I do not feel anyone is entitled to move into another country and expecting a hand out. Immigrants used to move to other countries fully expecting to bust their ass integrating into society, the goal was to make their children's lives better. The issue here is that this change will damage the job prospects of the underemployed and poor that are already here and divert resources aimed at helping them. We are basically importing a new underclass in many cases which unless there is work for them means they many get sucked into the criminal world, exploited and generally worse off. Why do I say underclass, because most will not be eligible for assistance. Freedom comes with responsibility, to yourself and those whom live around you. There are many things wrong in our immigration policy, the fees alone are silly. However executive actions may not be the best route. It is a pure political play of a man whose actions were timed to after an election and after he lost support of the Senate. If he was so concerned he would have done it his first two years in office. As to the benefits and why each element is good or bad, the information at http://www.cato.org/blog/obamas-immigration-executive-order-policy-implications http://www.cato.org/blog/obamas-immigration-executive-order-... is invaluable.

netcan 12y ago
Just the fact that most people in most places immediate reaction this kind of idea is "handouts" is proof of a problem. We don't have that kind of reaction to people "expecting handouts" who aren't immigrants. Immigrants as a whole are usually members of lower middle classes. Not huge tax contributors, but not a welfare dependent group either. The biggest welfare dependent groups within most countries are entrenched subcultures that have built up the habit over 2 or more generations. There is no reason to assume on the whole that immigrants are an economic drain. The huge gap between people's instinctive reaction and reality, is IMO xenophobia. Anyway, I think economics might be part of the practicalities, but shouldn't be the heart of the discussion. This is a fundamental moral issue, not an economic one.

netcan 12y ago

Just the fact that most people in most places immediate reaction this kind of idea is "handouts" is proof of a problem. We don't have that kind of reaction to people "expecting handouts" who aren't immigrants. Immigrants as a whole are usually members of lower middle classes. Not huge tax contributors, but not a welfare dependent group either. The biggest welfare dependent groups within most countries are entrenched subcultures that have built up the habit over 2 or more generations. There is no reason to assume on the whole that immigrants are an economic drain. The huge gap between people's instinctive reaction and reality, is IMO xenophobia. Anyway, I think economics might be part of the practicalities, but shouldn't be the heart of the discussion. This is a fundamental moral issue, not an economic one.