I find we don’t debate immigration issues enough in this country. If someones does open a discussion, it sometimes takes on a negative connotation for no justified reason.
It’s possible to meaningfully pontificate about such matters without paranoid assumptions often associated with adherents of anti-immigration or politically correct minions.
A perfect example of where the law, politics, immigration and racism all conspire in a confused dance is with the problem of illegal Mexicans pouring into the United States.
The question revolves around exactly how to handle illegal immigrants presently working and living in the United States.
For many, there is a legitimate argument with the notion that illegal aliens must be forced to follow the rules. If it means deportation so be it. Those who go for this approach aren’t anti-immigration or racist; they just want to maintain the integrity of the law.
Is it fair for illegals to be granted amnesty? Not when measured against the reality that thousands of people are patiently and legally waiting in line. Indeed, how is this fair to them?
So America has to wrestle with its own immigration issues including Muslim immigration and racial profiling.
At least the debate is in the open in the United States. Not so here in Canada. This is unfortunate because once in a while we need to vigorously question and challenge our leaders. It’s the only way to really keep democratic public discourse alive.
Is discussing immigration in Canada a taboo subject? Does the media offer a fair and balanced picture of it? Is Canada’s immigration department is secretive and non-transparent?
Sometimes I wonder if we simply shy away from facing questions that force us to look into the mirror.
Who we are has a direct correlation in what we become. But if the road is littered with misguided ideas or faulty immigration policies, what we become may mean we won’t care about who we are.
Here are some links regarding immigration:
Canada and Immigration by Freda Hawkins (Google Books)
