Is it racist to have a concern about immigration?

1. 61

   Silverspeederposted 11 years ago

   Is it racist to have a concern about immigration?
   
   A few of our left wing buddies start shouting about people being a racist when they show a concern about the levels of immigration.
   Is immigration a question of race or a question of numbers?

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2. 67

   Ceegenposted 11 years ago

   People can be against immigration for any number of reasons, and yes, some people are against it because they are racist. However, not everyone that is against immigration is a racist. A silly notion, at best.

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3. 93

   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   In my opinion many of the issues related to immigration aren't racist, but ignorance. Some are just plain racist, and some are genuine concerns. Our country (USA) was founded on immigration, founded on coming in and taking over a land that didn't belong to us. Yet now everyone ones to throw their hands up and say we need to stop it. I hear the ignorant phrase all the time that "they're taking all our jobs". A very untrue statement. Then I hear those that really want everyone to be able to come here, but believe it should be done by the long drawn out process of these people learning everything about the USA. My question to those people is did the immigrants who founded this country bother respecting the people who lived here before them? We also have those who believe immigrants have no desire to become Americans. I am 1/4 Honduran and 1/4 Mexican. I grew up in a home where speaking English was the only option.  Even though I am Hispanic I speak only English. So again those who say this speak in ignorance because it is not always like this. Some are just plain racist. Living in the south of this country I see it all the time. I hear both black and whites talking badly about Hispanics. So to answer your question, Yes sometimes it is racist.

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   1. 38

      ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I completely agree. I also think demonizing immigrants is a way to take attention off of other people plundering this countries wealth, but that's another subject.

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   2. 61

      Silverspeederposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Everybody should be concerned about immigration, the more that come the more diluted the
      resources become. Believe me its happening now in the UK.

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4. 0

   CalebSparksposted 11 years ago

   The idea that it's racist to be concerned about immigration is a pathetic, weak attempt to discredit those who are for securing the border. Those on the "left" often use highly emotional "arguments," which are usually unsupported by the facts. Any strength that America has left is not due to multiculturalism, but rather the things that make us the same. If some people feel the need to call me a racist because I am more concerned with the facts than mere emotion, why should I care? They are just demonstrating how ignorant they are.

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   1. 84

      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      TRUE, oh SO TRUE!

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5. 76

   johnsonrallenposted 11 years ago

   You say "immigration" but don't specify whether it's the legal or illegal sort. I personally believe immigration is wonderful. I must also admit my wife was an immigrant so I'm biased, I suppose. I also believe the US makes it very difficult on most immigrants trying to get to the US. As for immigration of the illegal sort, I try to put myself in the immigrant's shoes: if I were in that desperate situation, what would I do to help my family? What would anyone do? It's easy to cast stones if you've never been faced with the situation before. Having said this, I DO understand it is illegal.... but I believe the US should take steps to make the pathway to citizenship a level playing field.
   
   As to the question: if a person is against any form of immigration at all, I would label that borderline racism at the very least. Why prevent someone from entering the country?

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   1. 68

      BuffaloGal1960posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with what you said. But the last question - well, preventing "risk" immigrants or visitors, for that matter, I am against. The FBI knows who the risks are and yet, they are allowed in. I'm NOT for that.

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   2. 76

      johnsonrallenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Totally true. Since my wife went through the visa and citizenship process, I know for a fact the most important factor is whether you have the cash or not.

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6. 83

   M. T. Dremerposted 11 years ago

   I don't think being concerned about immigration means you're racist. There are many socioeconomic factors that are tied up with an increased number of illegal immigrants. However the debate seems focused exclusively around Mexican immigrants. It's true that the U.S./Mexico border is where the bulk of illegal immigration comes from, but would anyone even notice if a Canadian was here illegally? A U.S. citizen, of Mexican descent, will still get pulled over for looking suspicious. And they will still get told to 'go back to their country' despite being completely legal. So then, the push back against immigrants goes largely based on the color of one's skin, which is a racist way of thinking. So, while I'm certain that not all immigration supporters are racist, I do hope that they at least acknowledge that the debate is negatively effecting all people of Mexican descent, even the ones born and raised in the U.S.A.

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7. 67

   LandmarkWealthposted 11 years ago

   One can be a racist and have that be a determining factor.  But it's unfair to characterize anyone with such a concern as racist.  There are numerous reasons to be concerned about immigration.  They can be concerns related to national security, social entitlement spending, labor markets and various other issues. It's just an easy copout to call someone a racist because they disagree with your position.  Unfortunately many on the left like to frame everything around some discussion about discrimination based on race or ethnicity when often times it has nothing to do with it.  That's what sells.  And if I stand in the street and scream racist while I point my finger at you, as long as I do it for awhile...some people will believe it, whether it's true or not.

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   1. 69

      ladydeonneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think we can say that racism is the primary reason some are anti-immigration. Though in many cases it may be true. I believe that the reason is more related to fear, closed mindednes and not being able to love their neighbors as themselves.

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   2. 67

      LandmarkWealthposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Or maybe some of us are concerned with the enormous fiscal burden being placed on our entitlement structure that is already racing towards insolvency.

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   3. 61

      Silverspeederposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I love my neighbours but that doesn't mean they have to live in my back garden and partake of my fruits.

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   4. 67

      LandmarkWealthposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, but apparently some of the clowns in DC feel differently.  They love to spend other peoples money.

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   5. 76

      johnsonrallenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I know there's limited space here and it's hard to fully comment. I don't quite understand the last 2 comments though. What do they have to do w/ immigration? For instance, more Americans are sucking the economy dry than immigrants. Just clarify plz.

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   6. 67

      LandmarkWealthposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The border states are overrun with people utilizing social services such has Medicaid.  They are a huge drain on State and Federal Budgets.  Particularly Mexico which has a very poor totalization agreement with the US on Social Security.

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   7. 61

      Silverspeederposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Johnsonrallen, if your children were sucking you dry that would be OK right? What about if your neighbours children were sucking you dry too and your children where then going without because of it?

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   8. 76

      johnsonrallenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I understand your point, Silverspeeder. I think it can apply just as much to Americans though. I think there are more "born and raised here" Americans that we're taking care of than immigrants.

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   9. 68

      BuffaloGal1960posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well said.

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8. 59

   taburkettposted 11 years ago

   Answer - Only if your concern is based on race.
   If it is based on any other criteria, then it is simply a standard concern.
   There are 2 types of immigration, the legal kind and the illegal. 
   Both have generated chaotic pitfalls for a nations citizens through numbers.
   Left wing liberals always shout racist when speaking against concerned citizens because it sparks an emotional thread within others.  The left wing always uses the most emotional categorizations because they have little truth on their side when speaking or confronting opposition.
   Immigration is not about emotion, but about objective.  If a nation does not need immigrants to sustain itself, then the objective should be to limit the numbers.
   Pure and simple, immigration to the left wing is an emotional ride, while to the right wing, it is an objective to be defined.

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   1. 84

      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      THANK YOU FOR THIS PROFOUND RESPONSE!

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9. 79

   Diana Leeposted 11 years ago

   Immigration has noting to do with any particular race. Since 9/11 our main concern should be about terrorist entering our borders. We are much too trusting and leave our own people in danger because of our worries of being called a racist or other names. Visitors have always been welcome in most countries, but respectful introductions are needed to keep our families safe.
   .This is the whole reason for passports and/or proper identification..

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10. 91

    IslandBitesposted 11 years ago

    Some ignorant arguments against immigrants are racists, but most are xenophobic.

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    1. 61

       Silverspeederposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Xenophobia, an irrational fear of the truth, sometimes exhibited by those on the left of the political spectrum.

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11. 68

    BuffaloGal1960posted 11 years ago

    Sometimes statements by the media make my blood boil.
    After 9/11 they screamed "racial profiling" if someone was obviously Middle Eastern got searched at an airport.  Excuse me? 
    
    If a red-headed robber goes into a bank and kills some people and goes on the run and the cops stop cars that have redheads in them, that's racial profiling?  Peleeasee!
    
    I'm not a racist. But I feel NO pressure at all to be "politically correct"
    
    If you are in this country and you are bringing hatred and crime with you, you should be ejected faster than a nanosecond.

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    1. 91

       IslandBitesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       If they got the robber, but they keep stopping every "redhead in a car",  then is profiling. You have obvious prejudice against them. Being middle eastern does not mean "hate and crime".

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    2. 68

       BuffaloGal1960posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       No. I am not prejudice. But there are large cells of terrorists in the Middle Eastern culture. Therefore they have not been all caught.

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    3. 84

       gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!

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12. 63

    old albionposted 11 years ago

    Immigration is a question of numbers. One fears to bring immigration into a conversation because one is afraid of being called a racist. It pains me to say it but we all preface any mention of immigration by saying; 'I'm not a racist but....' Why should this be?
    In every country there is so much work available to the population, that's clear and obvious. Should a country allow more immigration than is tolerable then strife will follow.
    Graham.

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    1. 84

       gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       What you have succinctly and eloquently stated is so true!

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13. 68

    CrescentSkiesposted 11 years ago

    in my opinion it's a question of numbers. I personally don't want a bunch of immigrants in America because they take up jobs that my relatives and myself could be using. I definitely don't support illegal immigration from anywhere (mexico, canada, etc.).

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    1. 84

       gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Agree with you a mulltillion percent!

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14. 68

    elenagarciaposted 11 years ago

    as citizens of this country it is important to stay aware of what is going on in our country, and it is only natural to be concerned.  to show concern does not mean you are. racist. it means you care.  my only issue with immigration is in regards to illegal immigration, from any country.

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