I saw this thread and I felt I had to respond. I live near the border in San Diego, I cross the border on a fairly regular basis to use a foundry in Mexico, i have patients and friends who live on both sides of the border, etc.
We need to have a policy that is reasonable and recognizes that we are talking about people who are just like us in their desire for a better life. We also must acknownlege that countries have borders and our policy affects all of us who are citizens, whether we live at the border or in Iowa. Being in Southern California, it is clear that an open border and massive uncontrolled immigration has a huge negative impact on all social services locally. Not just during this current surge of people, but over the years. The costs,especially to our school systems have been huge. Having well over 150000 people cross a month is not sustainable, even if 80% are forced to go back.
What is happening is heartbreaking. The toll on the people who have to live through the process of trying to get into our country is awful. Many people die and are abused in countless ways. But to equate these people as being anything less than the rest of us is equally horrible.
My favorite place to eat breaskfast is a small place near the border frequented almost entirely by hispanic workers and their families. When I'm there on Sunday mornings, I am usually the only anglo in there. On Sunday it's mostly families, usually two or three generations at the same table, dressed nicely after coming from church. These are very hard working people whose lives are centered around family. They work their butts off doing tough jobs that most of the people on this thread would never do. But they have a dignity, humanity, and warmth equal to anyone. We are not superior to them, mostly, many of us just feel more entitled.
They are coming for the opportunity the USA offers. And they are the first to admit that they are taking advantage of the current situation. Who, in their place. wouldn't? These people are not looking for a handout. They simply want the fantastic opportunities most of us, unfortunately, take for granted.
But it is not a sustainable situation. We know it and they know it. They mostly hate Trump, not for limiting immigration, but for being someone who would impune their character and villianize them. Who is he to question their honor? But just becausse Trump is a loathsome person does not mean that the response by Biden makes any sense. His words and actions have created a situation which is totally intolerable. Nothing Trump did, including separating children from their parents, has come close to the chaos which has been created by the words and actions of the Biden Administration. For every child separated from a parent before, there are probably a hundred unaccompanied teens now. Just because Trump kept referring to immigrants as rapest and criminals, doesn't mean there weren't a few. Now that criminal elements are more organized, there will be many more. As Mercutio said," a plague on both your houses."
I don't have an answer. We need these people. They are people I am proud to know and people who will be great citizens. But it is not right for them to come here because of an open border. It is not fair to all the other people from other parts of the world who deserve fairness. With respect to the people from Mexico, they don't need an open border to get here get here. Many already have family and friends on this side of the border to help with the immigration process. They need help about as much as their national soccer team, El Tri, needs an extra man to beat the gringos.
If we could go back to a time when we could look at a situation and analize what is best and most fair for everyone, I would be for that. We did have that at one time. We had the Marshall Plan. We gave respect to our mortal enemy, Japan after WWII, and created a workable solution. We need leaders who think of more than their political agenda. You won't find the right leaders or the answers on cable news.
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