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Irish immigrants would like lawmakers and the public to know that the debate over immigration reform is not about one single group.
Speaking in Denver yesterday, Irish American Ciaran Staunton, president of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, said people often forget that of the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in America, at least 50,000 of them are from Ireland.
The debate over comprehensive immigration reform is often centered around the Hispanic community because of America’s close proximity to Mexico but Staunton points out that for thousands of Irish people, the debate is just as important.
“The Irish community has as big an interest in immigration reform as any other community,” Staunton told the Denver Daily News before speaking at The Celtic Tavern in Denver. “There is no legal way for an Irish American in Denver to bring his cousin to America to work and to participate in the American dream.”
We currently have double-digit unemployment, and citizens are unable to find work. I watched a report yesterday of a federal job fair in Stafford, VA in which thousands lined the adjacent streets in hopes of employment. Several job seekers were interviewed, and they all gave similar accounts of not even being able to get a job as a dishwasher -- and they were degreed citizens.
We currently have double-digit unemployment, and citizens are unable to find work. I watched a report yesterday of a federal job fair in Stafford, VA in which thousands lined the adjacent streets in hopes of employment. Several job seekers were interviewed, and they all gave similar accounts of not even being able to get a job as a dishwasher -- and they were degreed citizens.
It's a recession. They happen. If you look along the lines of native vs. immigrant, on the whole those that are native are having a better time weathering out this storm. On the whole, native born citizens have lower rates of poverty, higher rates of education, more wealth...
So please explain that if native born citizen on the whole enjoy more wealth, how do you make your claim that they are unable to attain the American Dream?
I am unsure if I agree with Chicagonut in general but I have to say that in this one way he/she is right that in that it is not just our proximity it is the fact that they come here in large numbers. If they didn't there would be no problem. I cannot verify the " biggest violaters of our immigration laws in numbers" part though. I'd have to research that-that might be bunk.
"The debate over comprehensive immigration reform is often centered around the Hispanic community because of America’s close proximity to Mexico"
No, that isn't the reason. It is because Mexicans and other Latinos are by far the biggest violaters of our immigration laws in numbers.
However I will say that I have no opion yet one way or another about the immigration laws yet. Still researching. I don't want to be an ******* with viewpoint. I want to come to a thoughtful place.
We currently have double-digit unemployment, and citizens are unable to find work. I watched a report yesterday of a federal job fair in Stafford, VA in which thousands lined the adjacent streets in hopes of employment. Several job seekers were interviewed, and they all gave similar accounts of not even being able to get a job as a dishwasher -- and they were degreed citizens.
What about the 90% of us that do have jobs? Are we being denied the American Dream? Are all or most unemployed Americans being fired in favor of illegals? And is that the sole (or most of the) reason why Americans can't find jobs?
Even when I've been in dire straits, I never felt that the American Dream was unavailable to me. The only thing that was stopping me was me.
What about the 90% of us that do have jobs? Are we being denied the American Dream? Are all or most unemployed Americans being fired in favor of illegals? And is that the sole (or most of the) reason why Americans can't find jobs?
Even when I've been in dire straits, I never felt that the American Dream was unavailable to me. The only thing that was stopping me was me.
I did not mention the employment of illegal aliens. My comments were in response to the quote in which the guy is complaining because he can’t bring his cousin to the U.S. to pursue the American Dream. How on earth can we even contemplate bringing more immigrants into this country while our own citizens are unemployed?
And, that 10% unemployment rate is the “average” nationwide. In some areas, unemployment is substantially higher. As long as we have millions of unemployed citizens, NO immigrant, should be granted permission to enter this country to work; with the exception of bona fide worker shortages, such as the nursing profession. However, if we had more instructors, even that wouldn’t be an issue.
Perhaps you have never felt the American Dream was off-limits, but there are millions who do.
I did not mention the employment of illegal aliens. My comments were in response to the quote in which the guy is complaining because he can’t bring his cousin to the U.S. to pursue the American Dream. How on earth can we even contemplate bringing more immigrants into this country while our own citizens are unemployed?
And, that 10% unemployment rate is the “average” nationwide. In some areas, unemployment is substantially higher. As long as we have millions of unemployed citizens, NO immigrant, should be granted permission to enter this country to work; with the exception of bona fide worker shortages, such as the nursing profession. However, if we had more instructors, even that wouldn’t be an issue.
Perhaps you have never felt the American Dream was off-limits, but there are millions who do.
The reason why the American Dream is perceived as off limits has nothing to do with illegal immigration.
The growing wealth gap is threatening the middle class. Put your time, effort, and mind to trying to make proposals to reduce the price of healthcare and education. Let's try to pass protections for consumers. What about pushing for green industries in your district? Green energy jobs would mean less outsourcing wealth to oil rich nations.
Focusing on illegal immigration is a bad allocation of time to save the middle class.
My comments were in response to the quote in which the guy is complaining because he can’t bring his cousin to the U.S. to pursue the American Dream. How on earth can we even contemplate bringing more immigrants into this country while our own citizens are unemployed?
And, that 10% unemployment rate is the “average” nationwide. In some areas, unemployment is substantially higher. As long as we have millions of unemployed citizens, NO immigrant, should be granted permission to enter this country to work; with the exception of bona fide worker shortages, such as the nursing profession. However, if we had more instructors, even that wouldn’t be an issue.
Perhaps you have never felt the American Dream was off-limits, but there are millions who do.
Nope, never felt it was off-limits to me.
You have points there, but what can be done about it? We can't force the recession to end, we just have to let it pass. The last one passed, and this one too shall pass.
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Numbers not Proximity
