Allowing illegal immigration is not compassion

Q: Illegal immigrants are flouting U.S. laws, but does affluent America (or Arizona for that matter) have a larger moral or spiritual obligation to help illegal immigrants who are trying to better their lives? What about religious obligations to welcome the stranger? Are we our brother's keeper?

America is a land of immigrants. Most Americans are here today because our ancestors sought a better, freer, and more prosperous life than what was available to them in their native lands. The majority came from Europe and Asia, the latter mostly to Hawai'i and the west coast. They struggled, they worked, and they put up with all the problems that poor immigrants in any land face, but most remained committed to the dreams that brought them here. Those who survived laid foundations for their descendants to prosper.

During the last few decades, there has been new waves of immigrants coming to America, carrying with them their own aspirations. The bulk of these have come either from Asia, or from Mexico and Central America. The new immigrants from Asia are much like those who came in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Pushed by a desire to be free to pursue their ambitions, and also to become a part of their new home, to become American. They expect and encourage their children to learn English, get an education, and further their parent's dreams. For the most part, they have been extremely successful.

While many of the Mexican immigrants come to the U.S. with similar intentions, those who come illegally have a much more difficult time. Part of the problem is that entering the country illegally puts them into contact with a world underneath the legal radar, where they are vulnerable to those involved in other illegal activities. Illegal immigrants often live in close proximity to others members of their immigrant communities where the predominant language is their native dialect or one they can understand (there are nearly 300 languages and dialects spoken in Mexico). They learn little or no English, and have little interpersonal relations with non-immigrants outside of their working situations. In short, they remain "outsiders" on many levels. Additionally, not only are many illegal immigrants uneducated, but they do not emphasize education to their children, especially if they wish to stay unnoticed. Living in this way, illegal immigrants from Mexico typically remain near the bottom of the socio-economic ladder.

For those who allege that Mexican immigrants have a difficult time being successful because of prejudice, they need to look at the accomplishments of Asian immigrants, many of whom have also arrived in America poor, without knowledge of English, and have faced various forms of prejudice as well, yet they thrive. A 2005 study released by the Public Policy Institute of California using 2000 Census data reveals that 62% of Asian Americans had earned college degrees while only 13% of Hispanics had done the same. Deborah Reed, author of the study, is straight forward in her assessment, "A college education is one of the most important indicators of lifelong economic success."

Asian parents usually make sure their children learn English, irrespective of the language they speak at home, and that they think of themselves as "American." Because they emphasize and press education, their communities have become economically, socially, and politically quite successful. They set high goals for themselves and their offspring and create a community environment in which their aspirations are nurtured. Another study in 2005 looked at young adults (25-29) in the country as a whole with a college degree, this one by the U.S. Department of Education. It found 61% of Asians, 31% of South Americans, and only 8% of Mexicans between 25-29 had college degrees.

Taken together, the factors mentioned above-illegality, lack of English fluency, lack of education, and lack of American identity-are central in understanding the situation that a significant number of illegal Mexican immigrants face today. Those who support the current situation and think the government should continue to turn a blind eye to what is happening do so either because of a misguided sense of compassion, because they like the ready source of cheap labor, or because they see a potential group of favorable voters. The reality is that illegal immigration hurts many people - illegal immigrants families, legal immigrants, and citizens who see the government essentially ignoring the problem and all its negative ramifications. The majority of Americans are against allowing illegal immigration, because they see the problems caused and also believe everyone should play by the same rules. Its continuance will further a negative stereotype of Hispanics in general, and will enhance resentment between them and members of other racial and ethnic communities who believe we should all have to adhere to the country's rules and laws.

Another element that is almost never discussed by the media or by those who want the influx of illegal immigrants to go unabated is the impact illegal immigration has on those who want to come here legally. There are countless individuals all over the world who want to immigrate to America, who have applied, and who have waited as long as ten years in hopes of gaining entry. Due in part to the problems of illegal immigration and those who are upset by it, immigration for many others is more difficult. Those who want to come here legally are hampered because so many do so illegally, and those who support the latter seem to care nothing about the plight of the former. Where is the compassion for them?

The question was asked if "affluent" America has a "moral or spiritual obligation to help illegal immigrants." How about legal immigrants? Should not our obligation first be to those who want to do so legally? Also, is it compassionate to let illegal immigrants come to America, live in an environment or poverty and lack of education, and foster a situation in which many of their children will remain in the economic basement while making it more difficult for others to come?

If we really want to help, we need to create a situation whereby those who want to come legally are given priority to do so, provided they are willing to learn English--for their children's sake if not for their own--and provided they make sure their children get an education so they can stand equally with other Americans in competing for quality jobs as they get older. This would be a good investment by our government in their futures and in the country's future. Letting immigrants come illegally and remain poor simply so we can have cheaper food and clean homes is not compassion, it is near-sightedness, and it causes more harm than it fosters good.

By Ramdas Lamb  |  May 26, 2010; 12:37 PM ET Save & Share:                 
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