There are thousands of potential terrorists in the US as well, recent history has proved this but so far basically all the attacks they've committed are by Americans so what's your point? I don't know why I have to keep pointing out that immigrants are no more likely to commit crime than a countries natives, there simply isn't any evidence to back it up.
If I was going to make a broad simplistic statement in the same way you are I would state - 'The current immigration crisis seen in Europe is a direct result of America's unnecessary intervention in the middle east.'
It might be funny if it wasn't a terrible analogy
its a shame that the entire immigration argument is framed in the context of racism and bigotry. while they are driving force behind some attitudes towards immigration, these are in the minority and do not reflect the concerns of the majority of americans. and there is data to support the concern.
immigrants are both the MOST educated and LEAST educated groups and there in lies the problem. you dont hear many complaints about the indians, chinese, philipinos or koreans (who migrate through legal channels, and have a crime rate lower than any american demographic)
what you do hear about is the least educated groups (salvadorans, guatamalans, and mexicans). these have a much larger percentage of illegal migrations, and criminal activity (and are also underreported and harder to get exact data on due to undocumented status). when the two rates are combined into a single "immigrant" demographic, they disingenuously suggest the rate of immigrant crime is very low - when in reality it is the rate of undocumented immgrant crime that concerns people. combine that with the fact that traffic related offenses (which constitute a large economic impact rather violence) are typically not included in these quoted crime stats and a largely understated impact is portrayed.
no one is concerned about the MD from china that comes here legally, pays taxes, and never commits a crime. likewise, the mexican that comes here, works hard, pays taxes and assimilates into american culture - is not seen as a problem.
when someone is accused of having a nazi/racist/bigoted attitude - its almost entirely due to that persons concerns over illegal immigration or the inability to vet the background of a potential immigrant. NOT RACISM!!!! i dont know whats so hard to understand about that. and i dont see how anyone can discount or refute the legitimacy of those concerns.
-countries have a right to allow/refuse who comes into their country - understandably the best and brightest would be preferred over a gang member or someone with anti-american sentiments - thats not racism
-immigrants from countries with higher rates will statistically possess a higher crime rate. most native citizens of ANY country would prefer to NOT let criminals and violent immigrants in - thats not racism
-SKbonsaiguy quotes the debt clock - and thats a great point - why would we take on the financial burden of another countries bottom feeders. this is not a problem when the best and brightest migrate, but when the least educated come over they are a burden to the american taxpayer. unpaid medical bills, unpaid taxes, and additional publics services required are a huge financial burden to the taxpayer. (taxpayers being both native born and migrant citizens who must foot the bill for the bottom feeders) presently -over half the immigrants receive some sort of welfare assistance. this takes dollars from both taxpayers AND native recipients - why would we NOT take care of our own first?
-violent crime rates are disproportionately high among the "least" educated of ANY american demographic, white black latino etc.
illegal migrants are largely comprised of those groups and have no regard for the law- you dont see doctors and lawyers sneaking into the country illegally. aiming to reduce violent and gang related crime isnt racism - but the fact is the majority of those statistics are from migrants - both legal and illegal latino groups.
-muslims ARE allowed into the country and there is NO muslim ban being introduced. barring entry from countries that cannot vet the backgrounds of migrants is not racism or islamaphobia. i expect my govt to make sure that known terrorists dont make entry into in this country.
-migrants are expected to assimilate into american culture and support this country in its endeavors - this is not new and is a famous admonition that goes all the way back to teddy roosevelt. people who come into this country, hate its ideals, try to eliminate the freedoms of women,gays and minorities are NOT going to be welcome here! thats just a fact. migrants who come here and ride around with a foreign flag in their uninsured car and segregate themselves into communities to "recreate" the situation the left - are typically NOT going to be welcomed. patriotism/nationalism is not racism.
-while its true that the 15 year girl who was just raped by a 18 year old 9th grader who had been deported 4 times does not represent all migrants- the fact remains that if he was not here, that particular crime would not have happened. again - when you hear outrage over stories like this - its because he should have not been here in the first place - NOT because someones is racist and hates immigrants. we just want to (as much as possible) make sure that those who want to come into our country, make this a better place not a worse one. we have enough problems in this country without bringing in more. and what is wrong with that?
-many of these same people who are throwing claims of bigotry etc - chose their home carefully before moving/buying. if they had kids they checked the school districts, they checked the local houses for disrepair etc, they considered the cost and their budget. if i chose to not live in a high crime area that happens to be predominately black or if i send my kid to a renowned private school rather than a school that has more people of color - am i racist? (hint:the answer is no). i simply want the best community and best education for family. the same holds true our country - we want to make sure (as much as we possibly are able to ) that the people coming into this country do not bring this country down. that means no terrorists, no gang members, no violent criminals - and in some cases those people may tend to look a certain way. but its not their appearance we are rejecting.
its wrong to label people who feel like this as racists or bigots. we are not the black panthers, the kkk, isis, or nazis. we are responsible adults trying to make the best lives that we can. no one reading this would let a drug dealer, gang member or white supremacist into their home/life. does that mean they hate white people or they hate mexicans? immigration reform is about the content of character not ethnicity.
are there some people who ARE judging solely on race etc, sure. but they dont reflect the majority of people wanting immigration control/reform.
