Immigrant Daily

Why don’t they follow the law and come legally?

A common question among those that are law-abiding U.S. citizens who have no problems with immigration, but have a problem with doing illegal acts.  As Bernard Wasow points out:

“There is no legal way for most of those who cross into the United States to get here any other way.”

Why?  Because a majority of those that cross the U.S. border illegally are not skilled workers, and thus do not qualify for any skilled worker visas (quota for skilled workers is too low anyway).  As the Door for the Humble article states:

“If the roughly 630,000 illegal unskilled workers who enter the United States annually instead got in a line that processed 5,000 applicant each year, it would take 126 years to process the applicants for each year. There is no realistic alternative immigration option for an unskilled migrant but to sneak in illegally.”

It is a mere reminder of the problem — we cannot expect people to follow the law when the law fails to provide an option for them.  Most people that come to the U.S. illegally or legally do so because they are seeking a better life.  They do so for selfish reasons: for their families and to reach their goals/dreams.  Isn’t that what American is all about?

During the communist era coming to the U.S. was considered following one’s dream.  America is known worldwide — thanks in part to its soft diplomacy (i.e. Radio Free Europe or Voice of America) — for being the place where if you work hard, you will succeed.  I think many people who have lived here long enough forget that.  They do not appreciate the opportunities that are available here.  They take for granted those things that a majority of immigrants seek: standard of living immediately reflected by your hard work.  That is the American dream.  I can understand arguments of overcrowding or increased costs to our social welfare system, but I believe that this country is large and wealthy enough to be able to handle more than 5,000 unskilled workers annually.  Thus I call upon our legislators to let people follow their American dream legally — increase the quota to a more realistic number.  It will benefit both our economy and our worldwide image.  And finally — it will keep the American dream alive.

Article: A Door for the Humble