The Immigration Debate

For the first time in recent memory, I actually agree with the President on an issue. Namely, his call to find a "rational middle ground" when discussing solutions to our immigration problems.

No one can deny that the massive flood of illegal immigrants, mostly through our border with Mexico, is a threat to national security and needs to be addressed. I agree with some of the solutions that have been offered, such as increasing border patrols and installing limited stretches of fencing in the largest and most frequently crossed areas of the border. And although I don't believe that national identity cards are feasible, or even useful for that matter, I understand that we need to know who, and why, people are entering our country.

But I disagree with a large segement of the population that sees large increases in Hispanic populations as inherently threating. To argue that the immigration itself is a problem denies the history of our country. In fact, it denies the history of our species. Only an few tribes in the Fertile Crescent can possibly call themselves natives. Everyone else on the planet is an immigrant.

My point is that the mindless bigotry that has been spouted by a few so-called "natives" to this country is hypocritical.

"Put it like this: an influx of people doesn't threaten our national identity. It is our national identity.” - Leonard Pitts Jr.