Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Excellent op-ed from Thomas Friedman at New York Times, about how immigration can help deliver America from the current recession.

The Korean's own preferred immigration policy is quite radical. Immigration policy is one of only two areas in which the Korean supports a completely extremist and unrealistic idea. (The other is complete ban of all civilian ownership of firearms except hunting rifles, which will be kept at local police station during non-season.) But even for those who do not favor extremely liberal immigration policy, this point is hard to argue with: there are very smart people from all over the world clamoring to live and work for America, and we are turning them away. Plainly, this hurts America. It needs to change right now.

3 comments:

  1. I believe the same thing. Your idea on gun law sounds like the one we have in Korea...some people need to realize the Brits aren't going to invade anymore lol

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  2. "But even for those who do not favor extremely liberal immigration policy, this point is hard to argue with: there are very smart people from all over the world clamoring to live and work for America, and we are turning them away. Plainly, this hurts America. It needs to change right now. "

    That statement is half-correct. There ARE millions of smart, hardworking, ambitious, self-directed people who would make the most of the opportunities America still offers. However, our present policy, a chaotic mix of a porous border and weighting of family ties over qualifications, does not ensure that those who get here are the most capable. Canada, Australia, and other favored immigrant destinations have a point system that weighs factors like age, language skills, education, special skills, and family ties. There are many factors, so a non-English-speaking immigrant could still get a visa if he or she scored well in other areas. A point system was proposed as part of US immigration reform, but some interest groups howled. The ones who are actually being "turned away" are mainly skilled, educated people who cannot bring themselves to enter without or overstay a visa.

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  3. Sonagi,

    If you read the Korean's proposal, you would know that "the most deserving" is not something about which he cares very much. :)

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