Why are there so many Americans against Latino immigration?
The U.S. Census reports that the number of American Indians or Alaska natives represents 1.5% of the total population of the United States. The other 98.5% of the American people must, by definition, be composed of immigrants or descendants of immigrants. In a country where almost everyone comes from somewhere else, why are we so insistent on restricting immigration? Who decided that the people already here “legally” are okay to stay, but anyone else does not belong? Unfortunately, most of the resistance is directed towards Latino immigration because we are the newer immigrant group; yet, if you analyze this a bit, Latinos are perhaps more entitled to this land. Please hold on the casting of stones for a minute or two.
Most of the new immigrants coming to our country are Latinos from Mexico and Central America; and most of them end up settling in the Southwest. If you take a good look at the typical Mexican or Central American immigrant you cannot help but notice that they have dark skin, dark hair, and other features that are consistent with the characteristics of the American natives. Many are, in fact, direct descendants of two great native Indian civilizations: the Aztecs and the Mayas. In addition, most of what is now the Southwest was annexed to the U.S. in the 1840s under the so called Manifest Destiny- a mistaken and now outdated belief in which the U.S. was said to be “divinely ordained” to expand its territory by taking over land. Interestingly, most of the land that was annexed under Manifest Destiny was already inhabited by the people we now call Mexicans. Why are we so perturbed today in seeing Mexicans crossing over a border that we imposed on them to reach a land that was originally theirs?
I know, I know, I’m simplifying quite a bit; but I’m just trying to make a point. In reality, the conquest of the West was much more convoluted and one can argue that we were defending Mexicans against other oppressive conquerors like Spain and France. It is also a known fact that Mexicans were on both sides of the conflict. The Battle of the Alamo, for example, was fought by Mexicans on both sides… but I digress. What I’m trying to say here is that if we study the reasons behind the strong feelings against illegal immigration with our analytical side of the brain we may conclude that the only reason why anyone in the U.S. would be opposed to immigration is because it does not make economic sense. However, many analysts have concluded that illegal immigration does not pose a negative effect on the U.S. economy.
The most respected recent studies show that most Americans would notice little difference in their paychecks if illegal immigrants suddenly disappeared from the United States. That’s because most Americans don’t directly compete with illegal immigrants for jobs. … Illegal immigrants seem to have very little impact on unemployment rates. Undocumented workers certainly do take jobs that would otherwise go to legal workers. But undocumented workers also create demand that leads to new jobs. They buy food and cars and cell phones, they get haircuts and go to restaurants. On average, there is close to no net impact on the unemployment rate. … There are places in the United States where illegal immigration has big effects (both positive and negative). But economists generally believe that when averaged over the whole economy, the effect is a small net positive. Harvard’s George Borjas says the average American’s wealth is increased by less than 1 percent because of illegal immigration. (Excerpts from Q&A: Illegal Immigrants and the U.S. Economy by Adam Davidson - NPR / http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5312900)
I propose that the negative feelings against illegal immigration have little to do with what can be surmised using our analytical brain. My contention is that these strong opinions against illegal immigration are being fueled by an emotional response to the way Latino immigration is affecting the American culture. People have difficulty coping with change and it is always hard to simply accept unsolicited change. The Latino culture has grown very rapidly and many Americans feel that their own way of life is being threatened by what foreigners are imposing. And, as I mentioned on my prior post, immigrants are no longer melting into one amalgamated pot. Ignorance regarding the Hispanic culture also results in fear, prejudice, and discrimination.
So, if you are Hispanic and people say to you “why don’t you go back to where you came from?…,” remember that they may not be rejecting you as much as they are trying to protect themselves; but then again, you may have to answer as Paul Rodriguez did in one of his stand-up comedy skits- Do you mean El Paso?
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Hugo Lembert Said,
April 23, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
Ricardo,
You touch on many issues here, but overall, I agree with your assessment of the Latino condition in the United States.
You are absolutely correct in stating that resistance toward Latin American immigrants are attributed to physical and cultural differences that many fear in this country. I do think, however, that this fear would slowly ease down as we integrate and educate our non-Latino brothers and sisters. However, as we go through this process, we must be mindful of the fact that as long as Latin American leaders fail to take BOLD steps to remedy the economic, political and sociological condition of Latin America, the immigration flow to the US will remain. Hence, a certain amount of fear will persist.
The Latino integration process is taking way much longer than other ethnic groups such as the Irish, Italians, Jews and Eastern Europeans to name a few. This may partially attributed to the fact that prior groups shared similar physical characteristics.
The resistance Latinos face in this country has encouraged most to cherish their cultural identity, as they learn the ways of their new home. Historical, political, economic and social ties as well as technology (which instantly provide updates and facilitate cultural exchange) fuel the bi-cultural nature of today’s new bicultural American - the American Latino/ Hispanic American/ Latino.
Judy Hoffman Said,
April 23, 2009 @ 7:44 pm
Living in South Florida, and traveling often, I am emotionally confused as to why re all of this. Simply makes no sense from a social justice perspective. I am often in Haiti, and if you think there are issues re resistance to Latinos (and Mayans as many choose to use as self-identification), have a look at what is going on re Haitians here. My one ‘hat’ is re http://www.artforhaitianchildren.org and I get mired in sadness. As someone who had immigrant grandparents, it is just not fair (and I know that I sound like an idealist, which I am). As a marketing research colleague, I can understand all of the rational issues that you reference. And so, what do we all do???
Judy Hoffman
President
Profile Marketing Research
We must stop the negative immigration rage! Said,
February 13, 2010 @ 1:43 pm
[...] what infuriates people (like the so-called negative effect on the U.S. economy) is simply not true (see an earlier post here). But I’m not trying to generate more hate mail on this subject (I get enough of that); my [...]
gale Said,
April 8, 2010 @ 7:27 pm
Americans do not have a problem with legal immigrants being in this country, America was founded on immigrants. America does however have a problem with ILLEGALS that come to this country. There are laws set in place for every one that wants to come to America and it is for all, not just everyone else and not to include Latino’s, but for every person that wants to come to America. Let all the illegals go back home and come to America the proper route and there would not be any hating on illegals, because there would be none. Problem solved!
Terri Said,
June 13, 2010 @ 12:16 am
For all the Americans who are opposed to immigration or who say people should just go home & come here the legal way, well not everyone was fortunate enough to be born to someone who came here the “legal” way. Let’s discuss that for a second. I am descedant of Native American & Irish & believe me those who settled this great country did not come here the “legal” way. They murdered my ancestors for this land. Just because it was done over 100 years ago does not make it legal. Don’t be stupid to think that just because you were born here, you are better than anyone else on the planet. My husband came here illegally & believe me has put in his dues to become an American. He worked much harder than any idiot who had the luxury of being conceived in this country. I take pride in this country as my family are true Americans, but I don’t take for granted the poverty and war of other countries and feel it is our American duties to put ourselves in their place. Once we stop being compassionate to others, we lose alittle bit of America!
Constance Mason Said,
June 26, 2010 @ 9:46 pm
I believe the reason that most Americans, I cannot speak for all Americans, but many that I know, are frustrated and fed up with Latino immigration (illegal) is their arrogant and entitled attitude. I feel as many do, that there is a reluctance on many Latinos part to integrate into American cutlure, by learning basic English, customs, and lifestyle. I am not expecting Latinos to give up their culture, but to respect the culture they are living in and propose to want to begin a new and better life in. As an Amerian woman, I am disrespected constantly by Latino men who apparently have not learned manners towards American women and seem to think we are open for anything. In fact, this in my personal experience is the main reason why I feel negatively towards Latinos. In addition, I am disturbed by the lack of respect for the citizenship process. There seems to be a belief that entering our country illegally and staying is a right. Where this arrogance comes from I do not know? I am amazed by it. In my own experience with the illegal immigration issue, and living around it as an AMerican citizen, it is not that I dislike Latinos in my country or their culture, it is the disrespect they seem to show our American culture and law that disturbs me.
ford expert Said,
July 25, 2010 @ 4:08 pm
thanks for keeping me up to date on this subject.