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Originally Posted by ZenGum
I think the people and thus the government of a country have a right to protect their interests (to a certain degree - humanitarian refugees being an exception) by limiting immigration.
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Do you justify by using xenophobia? Xenophobia is the only basis for America's fear of immigration using the exact same logic that proved Saddam had WMDs. Ironically, many of those who believed that Saddam lie also fear immigration using the same logic. The Economist of 5 January 2008 describes this situation with proper perspective.
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About 40% of science and engineering PhDs working in America are immigrants. Around a third of Silicon Valley companies were started by Indian and Chinese. The low-skilled are needed too, especially in farming, services, and care for children and the elderly. It is no coincidence that countries that welcome immigrants - such as Sweden, Ireland, America, and Britain - have better economic records than those that shun them.
Given all these gains, why the backlash? Partly because politicians prefer to pander to xenophobic fears than to explain immigration's benefits. But not all fear of foreigners is irrational. Voters have genuine concerns. Large numbers of incomers may be unsettling; economic gloom makes native fear for their jobs; sharp disparities of income across borders threaten rich countries with floods of foreigners; outsiders who look and sound notably different from their hosts may find it hard to integrate. To keep borders open, such fears have to be acknowledged and dealt with, not swept under the carpet. ...
Above all, perspective is needed. The vast population movements of the past four decades have not brought the social strife the scaremongers predicted. On the contrary, they have offered a better life for millions of migrants and have enriched the receiving countries both culturally and materially. but to preserve these great benefits in the future, politicians need to the courage not only to speak up against the populist tide in favour of the gains immigration can bring, but also to deal honestly with the problems it can sometimes cause.
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Xenophobia of immigration is based in myths, lies, and propaganda. Rush Limbaugh preaches this xenophobia as Rush routinely does - facts be damned. Therefore these immigration problems exist right alongside another Limbaugh truth - Saddam's WMDs. Why did Saddam have WMDs? As even stated by some here in the Cellar - only because we feared he might. Great nations have greater immigration.
What is a major problem for the Silion Valley? Immigration restrictions because so many Americans fear as Cheney and George Jr do rather than promote a stronger American future.
Immigration problems in America are from those who would exercise their fears rather that learn reality. More specifically, those are same people who believe Rush Limbaugh decrees. Immigrants mean net profits for America; not the massive welfare myths promoted by extremists. Oh. And those whose jobs are at risk due to immigrants? Why were they so anti-American as to not get educated?