Originally Posted by
Ecurb
Well, we live in the world, and it's reasonable to care about humans everywhere. Citizens of every country have a "right" to be concerned about who immigrates into their country. However, (based mainly on my experience as an American), many people demonize the immigrants, focus on the problems they bring with them and not on the dynamism and economic advantages that come with them, and are unrealistic about solutions to the problems that come with illegal immigration.
Obviously, countries can pass whatever immigration laws they want to pass -- but such laws don't always limit the number of immigrants. Supposedly, about 11 million illegal immigrants live in the U.S. (I'm sure it's not so easy to count them). Here in the Western U.S., many farmers absolutely rely on the cheap labor of illegal immigrants to run their businesses. In addition, although we can pass laws making immigration illegal, it seems that we cannot keep immigrants out of the country. Xenophobia and racism drum up antipathy for the immigrants, but do little to eliminate illegal immigration.
After all, why should a Mexican or a Nigerian be morally (as opposed to practically) constrained by the laws of American or Italy? Should potential immigrants think, "Clopin has a 'right' to tell me whether I can live in Canada."? Clearly, in the case of the 11 million illegals in the U.S., they don't feel constrained by our immigration laws. However, perhaps by legalizing and legitimizing the process, or by granting voting rights to illegals already here, we can make them feel more like Americans, and they will work more diligently to improve their lives, and those of their neighbors and children. As I said, it's a complicated issue, and I don't have any certain answers (besides, I don't want to talk politics here, just to make a general point).
IN addition, as waltzin points out, immigration creates change, change produces cultural dynamism, and cultural dynamism produces (perhaps) good literature.