President Obama decided to let some illegal aliens to work legally for two-years at a time. Once this door is cracked, these people can extend their work visa and eventually become US citizens. The Supreme Court just ruled most of Arizona’s tough anti-immigration laws unconstitutional, but left the “racial profiling” part intact. Some applauded these and others were infuriated. And everyone is debating the wrong thing.
The critically important immigration policy to debate is not about Mexicans dropping their kids, or pregnant wives, inside of the US borders. It is not whether “show me your paper” is the same as “racial profiling.” It is how to attract elite and wealth — those who try harder, are younger, and bring resources — into this country. Immigrants usually intensify competition for opportunities and therefore push the whole society to be more efficient. There are people who can make this country better, stronger, and wealthier. Inviting them into the citizenship is good for the country.
Even when the US produces a tenth of science and engineering majored college graduates than the industries need, we cap H1B visa to a ridiculous small number. Even when there is a severe shortage of service sector labor, we don’t grant temporary visa for qualified workers. Even when the economy is in desperate need for boosting, we don’t allow foreign investors to come. Even when National Parks are falling apart, we still make tourist visa difficult to get. Why? Because many of us fear competitions, we might lose.
The thing is, competitions are there anyway, next door or abroad. If Mexicans, Filipino, Indians, and Chinese work harder than Americans, why does it matter if they are in the country or not? Besides, don’t we want hard-working and well educated people working for us, instead of them?