This article written by Gregory Rodriguez, a columnist for the LA Times, proposes that in a sense we are all hypocrites on illegal immigration. Many may be taken aback by such an accusation, but as Rodriguez develops his argument, one must seriously consider his point.
According to Rodriguez, 37% of drywall installers, 28% or dishwashers, 27% of housekeepers and 21% of parking lot attendants are undocumented immigrants. These numbers may not mean much to some people, but they imply that illegal immigrants are working behind the scenes in many industries that we use every single day. It is possible that every time we go out to eat or even move into a new home that we are indirectly supporting illegal immigration.
A recent display of the hypocritical nature Rodriguez describes was put on exhibition in the California gubernatorial debates after Meg Whitman was exposed as an illegal immigrant employer after advocating a "crack down" on businesses that hire illegal immigrants. With his article, it is as if Rodriguez is asking us how we aid illegal immigration in our lives. I think it is important to consider this when supporting or opposing illegal immigration policies. How is it that we can argue so vehemently against illegal immigration when it has infiltrated our everyday life so easily? Is it fair to portray these illegal immigrants as "less than" when we reap the benefits of their labor everyday? We must either take a strict stance on illegal immigration and deny ALL aspects of it, or we must accept it and work to improve its conditions. Rodriguez has convinced me that we can't ride both sides on the fence in this issue.
I strongly agree with Mr. Rodriguez viewpoint. Americans constantly complain, saying that we need to crack down on illegal immigration and send illegal immigrants back to their country, but we the first to quickly hire them to construct our buildings or do our yards. I agree along with you that until Americans altogether decide to crack down on illegal immigration and stop hiring illegal immigrants, this problem will continue. As long as we keep paying them, we are making it more desirable for more to come into our country illegally.
ReplyDeleteI think Mr. Rodriguez is absolutely right. What Americans do not realize is that illegal immigrants (generally speaking) take the jobs that others in America simply choose not to do. Furthermore, they do these jobs at very low wages compared to what American citizens would expect, especially after insurance and other benefits would be added in. Granted, we are in a recession and these smaller jobs are becoming more and more enticing, but we have to realize the economic repercussions that come along with abolishing all of this “cheap labor.” The average American would not be able to afford to go out to eat or buy groceries or houses if we only employed Americans that expect higher wages, as all of these costs are passed on to the consumer. I agree that we have to pick a side and stick with it. The question is though: is it really worth it to attempt to deport all of the illegal immigrants in America?
ReplyDelete@ shadow, your last sentence presents the dilemma and why it is so important for us to take a firm stance on illegal immigrant labor. Either way, there will be a great economic loss.
ReplyDelete@ humanmachine, I say no to your last question. Deporting all the illegal immigrants would be a complete headache and disaster. For starters, it would be near impossible to locate ALL the illegal immigrants and it would be even more difficult to force them to leave. I feel like we have to bite the bullet when it comes to existing illegal immigrants
I agree with Mr. Rodriguez in that Americans always say that we need to crack down on immigrants and the border and then never actually do much of anything to completely stop it. As I mentioned in another comment to your blog, immigrants do help us in some ways. My post is on unemployment and it's truly unbelievable to see the kinds of jobs that American's just waste away for immigrants to take from them, and then they complain that they can't find a job. It's insane. As long as they continue to see that we are willing to give up jobs and pay them to do our dirty work, well hell, that's probably a better deal than whatever they're running away from!
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