Immigration = Diversity & Strength
Posted January 23rd, 2013 by Diana LimongiHow different would the USA be if we weren’t a land of immigrants? (you could say that if no one ever migrated the land would be mainly inhabited by the Cherokee, Iroquois, and so forth, but for this purpose, let us imagine what USA would be like with no immigration after the Revolution).
Think about all the things that are so mainstream that come other cultures, but that have become so pervasive, we couldn’t imagine our lives without them.
Think about all the things you enjoy on a daily basis— from morning to night… Coffee. Google. Tea. Your favorite sushi or Chinese restaurant. Yoga.
- Do you use Google? One of Google’s inventors is a Russian immigrant.
- Do you own an Apple product? According to Wikipedia, Steve Jobs’ parents were of Swiss Catholic and Syrian descent, and his adoptive parents were Armenian American.
- Who does your dry cleaning?
- Who babysits your children?
- Did you order takeout? Who made it? Who delivered it?
- Did you cook ? Who picked your vegetables? Who packed your chicken?
- Did you go food shopping? Who stocked the shelves? Who cleaned the mess in aisle 5? Who worked the deli counter?
- Who drove the bus? Who drove your cab?
- Who fixed your broken heater?
- Who fixed your leaky pipe?
Can you answer all of these questions by saying that you know, without a doubt, that these tasks were fulfilled by non immigrant Americans, or Americans whose ancestors came in colonial times? Probably not…
If immigration had ended after the revolutionary War,we’d probably be drinking tea, not coffee.We wouldn’t know what yoga is. We wouldn’t eat pizza, chocolate or sushi. We’d be eating Xmas pudding and porridge.
If we did not have immigration and diversity, this wouldn’t be the United States that we are today. Out of our diversity comes our beauty and our strength. The fact that so many people from so many different backgrounds can live together, can come together to create, innovate, and make change… it is truly unique to these United States.
Immigrants=Economic strength
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa calls immigration reform an “economic imperative”: “If we bring these people — 11 million people — out of the dark and into the light, it’s about a $1.5 trillion impact to the U.S. economy,” he said. “The DREAMers alone — a $329 million impact.” I hate to be cynical, but, if for nothing else, perhaps Congress can wake up and smell the dollars… it is time to bring people out of the shadows for the economic growth that they can spur.
I hope Democrats and Republicans realize the strength of immigrants, realize that it is time for comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, because they are ambitious, determined and have big dreams (not pun intended!) If given the opportunities, they can and will go far. Dreamers can be future scientists, doctors, nurses, teachers, creators and innovators… and that is truly American.
(this post originally appeared on my blog, Ladydeelg )
4 Comments
February 10, 2013 at 1:30 am by oscar ramosImmigration is an economic imperative. Immigration’s impact on the work force is evident and undeniable. Our society must be more inclusive to capture talent and innovation. Limiting possibilities will filter the chances of opportunities to learn and improve. The United States is still the land of opportunity even at the worst of times because here hope is alive. Hope is the strongest magnet.
The greatest problem with immigration is uncontrolled illegal immigration and an extremely slow legal immigration process. The United States needs to be able to control the borders and at the same time improve on legal immigration processing. In so doing those who come into the country legally may be better developed by government institutions and private industries.
The United States must find a better way of retaining deserving and qualified immigrants.
[Reply]
January 23, 2013 at 4:43 pm by Dave FrancisPresident Obama’s Legacy has a potential of more unemployment, taxes, spending by pressing for Immigration Amnesty; telling the poor of foreign countries that if you can slip past the border or arrive by plane, we will pay for your financial support.
The Imperial court of President Elect Obama will be in session very shortly and many issues are on the Congressional list. Heed the warning that in the coming days that he is adamant on pushing through some form of amnesty for the 10 to 20 million plus illegal aliens already in the United States. The majority of people who remain unconcerned with politics, means that that they are unaware that conventional methods of being voted on in the House of Representatives, is being bypassed under this regime and not following the edicts of the U.S. Constitution? First it was the lone Obama authority to give a free pass to children of illegal aliens, which has been called the Dream Act. With the origin of the Dream Act which is children being smuggled unborn or in infancy across the thin, poorly guarded borders and agents unable to detect pregnant women arriving by plane from foreign countries that have arrived here for decades. Once on our soil they can gain as an inheritance citizenship for their progeny, which really was for the emancipation of slaves after the union and gray war. Americans must take fervent notice that their futures are in peril, with even more encouragement of illegal migrants and immigrants finding away to gain unauthorized entrance into our sovereign nation. In this 113 session of Congress the ardent listeners in other countries are going to try and reach the mainland.
Birthrights Citizenship is under constant bombardment by activists who believe an amendment to the 14th Amendment will save ultimately TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS. Citizenship given to children upon arrival is skyrocketing in free baby deliveries, free health care for all family members, and free education for all the children born now and later. Only the American citizens can financially reprieve us from this constant threat of females smuggling in their unborn and the U.S. Taxpayer carry the financial burden—without end. Then once the child applies automatic citizenship, it’s hard to return the Mother to the country where she belongs. It’s like a wordless guidebook of how to beat the welfare and immigration system, which eventually leaves to ILLEGAL CHAIN MIGRATION of the extended family. After more pregnancies the mother can collect substantial amounts of money for each child, plus low income housing. Then once settled, more relatives vanquish the border or alight undetected from a plane, this one way visitor, moves in with the family already here, finds a job and vanishes. It goes without say the door should always remain open for STEM workers, who have professional and skilled credentials? But even the most developed nations in the world cannot continue, if at all—to keep supporting other countries poor migrants and immigrants..There is obvious justification for a GUEST WORKER program, but currently it is run disorganized and full of fraudulent activities. AGJobs must be regulated and when contracts expire the labor must return home and not become extra welfare weight on the American public?
Then we have the unknown numbers of illegal aliens in the workplace, while at least 23 million American and residents are either looking for a job, or have no choice to work in part-time employment. This should not continue and citizens an permanent resident holding green cards, should contact their Senators or Congressmen/women and demand they bring to the floor of Congress, the mandatory E-Verify “LEGAL WORKFORCE BILL”, so Washington must act of ridding illegal aliens who have your jobs. You can stand firm for all Americans by either using the Internet, your telephone book to see who is you servant locally, state or federal and make these laws active. Stop the special interests and Washington from selling you out. LEARN A LOT MORE AT JUDICIAL WATCH AND NUMBERSUSA.
JUDGE FOR YOURSELF THE PROPAGANDA AND UNDERHAND ENGINEERED POLLS THAT COME FROM THE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, THE MAINSTREAM PRESS MANIPULATED BY THE LIBERAL EDITORIAL AND OF COURSE OUR GOVERNMENT?
ATTENTION: Obama lets Chinese own U.S. energy resources.
Beijing is acquiring major ownership in oil, natural gas across nation. (Dr. Jerome R. Corsi) – The Obama administration is quietly allowing China to acquire major ownership interests in oil and natural gas. The decision to allow China to compete for U.S. oil and natural gas resources appears to stem from a need to keep Beijing economically interested in lending to the U.S. The Obama administration has run $1-trillion-plus annual federal budget deficits since taking office that likely will continue in the second term. As World Net Daily reported Monday, Beijing has been developing a proposal in which real estate on American soil owned by China would be set up as “development zones” to establish Chinese-owned businesses and bring in its citizens to the U.S. to work. All this and more will be revealed at TEA PARTY.ORG.
[Reply]
Anonymous Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 5:01 pm
@Dave Francis, WOW……so much Right Wing propaganda and conspiracies ALL in one LONG comment. You must be tired……
[Reply]
Wonderful post, Diana! I have often said that what I love about living in this country is that I can I enjoy any ethnic food or culture without having to buy a plane ticket. I live in a very diverse area and eat up everything that you mentioned above and more.
[Reply]
Leave a Comment