abaya

/rant

I'm an American, born and raised here, but my mom is Thai and my dad was Icelandic (both immigrants) and I speak three languages. My boyfriend is from Lebanon and speaks three languages. I am doing my PhD research on international migration.

I'm as American as you get, and I think immigration has FAR more benefits than costs. I think that's part of BEING American, since this place is built on immigration. I've often put forth the idea that we should just open up the whole damn border, see what happens. I have no problem with immigration.

I very much agree with WillyPete, that the US has created a sense of relative deprivation with our insanely high and abusive standards of living (completely unsustainable), and I agree with Mr. Honest and your statement about how we've fucked up the economies of most central American countries (and a ton of other countries as well, but let's not go there). We are the cause of immigration; if there are negative parts to it, we've brought them down on ourselves.

Do not put the blame on those who have no other choice except for to try and improve their lives. They're a hell of a lot more brave than you are.

/end rant

EDIT: And let me add, have you been to your local graduate institution lately to see how many red-blooded Americans are studying math, science, engineering? We're a minority in some of the world's most important and lucrative professions because IMMIGRANTS and foreign students are way the hell smarter and harder-working than we are.

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran