Xenophobia

Why did you come to America, Dad?

There was no work.

   Fear and distrust of strangers has long been part of the human condition. But when it leads to bigotry, bias and discrimination in hiring, this fear quickly hurts a business and, eventually, the larger economy of a region, state or nation.
   Some may accept this as a cost of doing business, and willingly hire less competent, and more expensive, workers of their own kind. Other managers, more attuned to profit and loss statements and perhaps less likely to prejudge new, available workers, will ignore personal differences and look instead to skill levels. In turn, this brings better efficiency, productivity and profit.
   Newcomers have long had to overcome such barriers as language, culture and color differences. Many willingly take on the struggle because conditions at home were worse. These "worse" conditions could be economic, healthy, military, religious, educational or many other reasons, including the private and personal.
   Whatever the reasons, however, they and their children become Americans.
   Meanwhile, those who favor stricter quotas under the mantra of "immigration reform" claim that most newcomers have "no more than a high school education." (Center for Immigration Studies, Washington DC, December 2012) And, according to their report, "the employment picture is bleak for less-educated native-born American, who are most likely to compete with illegal immigrants for jobs."
   Moreover, nearly 28 million working-age Americans without jobs "have no education beyond high school."
   "This is a huge pool of potential less-skilled workers," the Center's report said.
   So, contrary to the argument that newcomers fill a need that is not being met by citizens, "it would be a mistake to think that every job taken by an illegal immigrant is a job lost by a native," according to the report, written by Steven A. Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies.
   There is already a large pool of potential workers available in America, Camarota writes. Therefore, sending the illegals home would have little effect, since "there would seem to be an ample supply of idle workers to replace them, particularly workers with little education," he adds.
   "Of course, employers might have to pay more, and offer better benefits and working conditions in order to attract American citizens," especially the least-educated and poorer," and this, Camarota notes, is "a desirable social outcome."

   He may be right. If sending illegal newcomers home creates a labor shortage and results in improved living standards and bargaining power for natives, this would be a good thing for those currently enjoying citizenship. Creating a labor shortage, however, is not a good thing for employers, and in the long run encourages more immigration.   Meanwhile, here's another question: What's the real reason for keeping out the newcomers?

   America is not a melting pot; it is a tapestry, a kaleidoscope of many shapes, colors and personalities. By putting strict limits on newcomers, America loses its diversity.