LatinaLista — Too often immigration is seen as a negative separate influence on the nation’s economy. Yet, a new report shows that immigration has a much more positive impact on the future health and stability of the nation’s economy when it’s looked at via Main Street USA.
During these extraordinary times, it’s not surprising that the economy is on everyone’s minds. How can it be otherwise? Retail sales are the lowest they’ve been in three years. Daily reports of layoffs. Home and auto loans increasingly hard to qualify for and the stock market rises and plummets faster than a Six Flags roller coaster.
But even with all these things happening they comprise only one of the issues that face our next president. Fortunately, in the three presidential debates, the candidates addressed the other major issues like education, foreign policy, energy and health care. Yet, they forgot one more major issue — immigration.
Immigration is one of the most important issues facing 12 million people and directly impacting, to some degree, 15 percent of the nation. Yet, it wasn’t even broached by either candidate in any of the debates.
The closest we came to hearing about it was in the final debate last night when Sen. McCain said to Sen. Obama, “You’re running ads that misportray completely my position on immigration.”
For those of us who have been waiting to hear what each candidate would do about the ongoing immigration raids, profiling of Latino citizens, the construction of the U.S./Mexico border wall, the prolonged detention of undocumented immigrants in federal custody and the forced separation and deportation of children without their parents, McCain’s mention of the word excited anyone who cares about the issue into thinking that finally the time had arrived.
Unfortunately, it quickly vanished.
Continue reading Immigration is ALL about the economy
Immigration is ALL about the economy
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Comment(8)
laura
Dear Marisa,
I just ran into this quote of Governor Sarah Palin, spoken as she was campaiging in North Carolina. I thought, clearly she is speaking of immigraants, especially of Latina/o immigrants who are of course American, i.e. from one of the two American continents.
Sarah Palin said:
“We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit […] This is where we find the kindness and the goodness and the courage of everyday Americans. Those who are running our factories and teaching our kids and growing our food and are fighting our wars for us.”
Is she totally obviously speaking of Latina/o immigrants or what? What a perfect description of my undocumented friends!
Michaela
Are you joking here? Why do you think she is only speaking of Latinos?
laura
Hi Michaela,
I do not think Sarah Palin is speaking only of Latina/os when she speaks of the kindness and goodness and courage of Americans in small towns, who are running our factories and teaching our kids and growing our food for us. Of course Americans of all ethnicities fit that description. But I find it an especially apt description of undocumented Latina/os, many of whom are from small towns and live in small towns, and who predominate in these jobs: child care, factory work, and growing our food. And I do find that many of them are amazingly kind and good and courageous, especially given the extremely difficult circumstances they struggle with.
So reading Governor Palin’s quote, she sounded to me like she was exactly describing my undocumented friends.
Sandra
Oh boy, talk about stereotyping and just plain arrogance the above post is just full of it!
Most Americans I know of any ethnicity fit that bill. Hard work and kindness is not something akin to one particular ethnic group and certainly not those who broke our immigration laws. Only someone who is biased and racist would make such a statement.
laura
Dear Sandra, listen to Governor Palin yourself: “the best of America is in these small towns … This is where we find the kindness and the goodness and the courage of everyday Americans. Those who are running our factories and teaching our kids and growing our food …”
Yes, I agree, Americans of every ethnicity fit that bill. But it is a particularly accurate description of undocumented Latina/os, who are growing my and also your food.
I’m sorry – you may not know them well enough to be struck by their kindness and goodness and everyday courage, the way I am. That’s fine – they will still continue growing your food and cooking your restaurant meals and cleaning your office and doing many many other things for you.
And because of their courage, one day, their human rights will be respected in this country too.
Sandra
So because of Palin’s words you automatically assume that she is talking about Latinos, especially of the illegal variety? You do know that she is against illegal immigration, don’t you?
I live out in Calif. I am quite familiar with Latinos of both status’ and there is nothing special about them. The illegal variety work hard because they are afraid of getting reported to the authorities. I know of many that do sloppy work in construction and constantly call in sick. If one member of their family gets sick, they all have to stay home or go to Mexico to care for them.
I don’t think breaking laws is a courageous act but a sign of immorality. Most Americans didn’t ask them to cook our food or any of the other things you mentioned. They most likely were asked by a greedy employer who hired them over an American at a cheaper wage. It is up to every employer to check the status of their employees. An outside has no right to go into a business establishment and demand that the owner show his employees records to them. Are you nuts?
Their human rights are respected in this country. That is all illegal aliens are entitled to.
laura
I see, Sandra, my friend. And no doubt you are voting for McCain/Palin.
Sandra
Actually no, I am not voting for McCain. Why would you assume that from my post anyway? I am not voting for Obama either for that matter. I don’t care for either candidate.
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