Subject: Re: On Inflation and Prices Again
Immigration is easy.
It's something that can be a huge gift, OR a huge punishment or both. And America- superior country to the world is where a majority of people want to emigrate too, even to this day. My basic framework in the old days:
1.)IF you truly, for real have a persecution problem - yeah, come the hell over.
2.)IF you are educating yourselves in our universities - here is a Green Card stapled to your degree on graduation day.
3.)IF you are skilled at something WE NEED, you go to front of the line.
4.)English proficiency IS required. Bilingualism will be offered at hospitals. NOWHERE else after you've been here for 5 years. Speak OUR language.
5.)Assimilate to OUR culture. Sure we'll enjoy your food or music - we like that and thanks for bringing it BUT, you will assimilate to US, we will not assimilate to you.
6.)LIMITS LIMITS LIMITS. Do not allow pockets of unassimilated nations-within-nations. Give them time to catch up and become Americans.
7.)LIMITS on chain migration. Sorry, but if someone will be Medicare Age soon - sorry - no can do.
8.)PROFILING. Yes isn't it cool? YES it hurts innocents but - we'll keep score. Countries whose diaspora make up the highest rates of drugs, gangs, jails, crime, welfare? WE're gonna count that against your application if you're from there too. Maybe start self policing you know? IF your country's diaspora is more employed, paying more taxes, staying off welfare or out of prison, paying their doctor bills....well, your application gets affirmative action.
Janet Jackson said "what have you done for me lately" and that used to be my immigration stance.
OH, for the applicants that pass the above tests - I'd speed it up, THANK them for coming - even facilitate and maaaaaaaybe even offer seed money no different than colleges offering merit aid.
I want the educated, the aggressive, the assimilators, the English learners. I want them HERE, not Canada or Aussie or NZealand. The slugs? Crooks? Jihadis? Paris is fine for them.
Again, these were my views mid 2000. I guess nostalgic tonight.