The Decline of America May Not Be What We Think

I've been writing about illegal immigration for decades and there still doesn't seem any end to it, but that's on purpose as I'll show you. States along the border with Mexico are being inundated with individuals wanting to come to the U.S., not to gain citizenship, but to obtain---for free--- the benefits available to citizens because they worked and paid into the system through their taxes.

The federal government maintains that it controls the border problem, however it does next to nothing, and worse, it wants states not to enforce existing federal laws concerning illegal entry. Eric Holder, the AG under President Obama, even sued Arizona for doing nothing more than using existing federal laws to halt immigrants from illegally crossing the border (worse, he even allowed Mexico to join in the lawsuit against Arizona as a co-plaintiff).  Now it's Texas.

Some states and cities have declared themselves "open" to illegal immigration under the euphemistic sounding title of "sanctuary". The result has been thousands of individuals heading there and immediately demanding and receiving taxpayer funded government services.

As a result, some of the cities involved have seen increases in crime, homelessness, and a growing demand for public and private services, especially food and medical care. Unable to keep up with the demand, these cities and states have...ironically...turned to the federal government and requested additional federal dollars and aid to cope with the very problems they intentionally created. Did their legislatures, mayors, and governors not think this through?

Currently it's believe that there are some 10 million or more individuals  illegally in this country, The majority of them drawing on services paid for by taxpayers---you and me---that they never contributed  into.  Many have also decided that they have no intention or interest in integrating into society as previous migrants have historically done (other nations, such as Canada and countries in Europe and Asia) face similar problems.

It's as if these immigrants want to keep their  traditions, values, customs, and languages while at the same time relocate to where they can receive "free" resources---food, housing, medical care, child care, transportation, and so forth for nothing. In fact, not just do they "demand" these items (and more), but believe they are actually "entitled" to them!  Worse, they expect us---the citizens--- to conform and adapt rather than them!

Remember, these individuals have not come with the intent of gaining citizenship, few have applied for entry, and few have come seeking asylum. They come because they've been told they would be openly welcomed and provided with freebies simply for showing up. The majority of immigrants are coming north for nothing more than economic reasons---"economic asylum".  Bear in mind that the U.S and United Nations does not recognize "economic amnesty". Even Amnesty International doesn't promote "economic amnesty".

Amnesty can only be granted for ethnic, racial, political or religious  reasons only, and then only if you are in danger of torture, extreme discrimination, imprisonment or death.  Even then international law says they must seek shelter in the next closest stable country...not travel thousands of miles through safe countries and attempt crossing  the U.S. border illegally!

So, who is promoting this migration north? Why is the U.S. seen as the only acceptable destination?  

Many of those headed north are coming for economic reasons, so that seems to be a logical place start. The U.S. and some of its allies have instituted sanctions and/or embargoes against Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba. Of those, Cuba's has been the longest, first imposed on March 14, 1958 by President Eisenhower against the Batista Government to prohibit the sale of arms.

In October 1960, following the overthrow of the Batista dictatorship by the Fidel Castro's led revolution, another embargo was placed against Cuba. This applied to everything but food and medicine. The embargo was expanded in February 1962.

In Venezuela, sanctions were imposed in January 2017 by President Trump, for alleged human right violations, but rumors have persisted that it had more to do with Venezuela's suppressing a U.S. led attempt to overthrow the government. Either way, unlike Cuba, the sanctions helped Venezuela's economy to collapse, causing record level inflation, unemployment, poverty, and crime (Venezuela has the highest rate of violent crime in the world).   

The sanctions resulted in freezing $5.5 billion dollars belonging to Venezuela. Also, there was a 65% decline in the number of international banks willing to do business with them, with 99% of them coming between 2017 and 2019. This has resulted in severe shortages of food and medicine which the country must buy abroad.

It's estimated that some 80,000 HIV+ patients were affected along with roughly 32,000 individuals in need of cancer or dialysis medication or treatment. Some 15% - 20% of the population no longer has access to potable water during the height of the sanctions.

High unemployment (the result of many oil related businesses closing) triggered a serious increase in crime, making Venezuela the most violent crime ridden nations in the world. Presently, the crime rate (as of 2023) in Venezuela is 83.76 per 100,000. The majority of the crime is committed by individuals ages 20-30 years old. By comparison, the United States has a crime rate of 47.70%. So, if you want a reason for the exodus northward, there you go. U.S. imposed sanctions.

Economic issues have affected other countries in the region as well, such as the Caribbean island nations of Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Their problems are primarily the result of inept governments, rudimentary infrastructure, failed social programs and perpetual poverty. 

The result is chronic unemployment and high crime rates (Trinidad and Tobago are ranked sixth in the world while Jamaica is tenth).  Another key factor, not found elsewhere, is the weather. Due to climate change, the Caribbean has found itself in bull's eye of some of the worse tropical storms and hurricanes on record.

Most of these countries have long depended on the tourist trade to pump money into the economy, but the weather and crime has caused tourists to go elsewhere. As an aside, in 2023, the U.S. pumped $110 billion dollars in humanitarian aid into Haiti alone. Without this aid, we'd see a much larger exodus northward toward the U.S. Compare that with $16 billion in aid (humanitarian and military) to Ukraine in 2023 and $3.3 billion to Israel.  

Brazil is one of the most rapidly growing economies in the world. It is a key member of the economic union know as "BRICs" along with China, India and Russia, among others. Few know that Brazil was one the world's most impacted nations by the Covid-19 epidemic . The economy had been growing at a steady rate of 3.3% between pre-Covid 2001 and 2014. But between 2014 and 2020, the economy shrunk by the same percentage of 3.3%.

However, things bounced back by 2021 with growth rate of 5.5% followed by 2.9% in 2022 and 2.6% in 2023. Despite this, Brazil has seen a relatively high crime rate of 23.6 per 100,000 (ranked 9th in the world). It previously had been as high as 30.8. Unemployment is about 7.8% thus far for 2024, Compare that 2.6% in Mexico. The poverty rate is slightly higher than it neighbors at 24.3%.

Mexico, which has borne the brunt immigration crisis, has the 15th largest economy in the world and the second largest in Latin America behind Brazil. However, for the last 30 years, the Mexican economy has underperformed in terms of economic growth, poverty reduction, and the development of a strong middle class according to the World Bank.  

The  Mexican economy grew at just 2% between 1980 and 2022, though in 2023 it saw a growth rate of 3.2%. However, poverty, while dropping from 43.9% in 2020, still remains high at 36.3% in 2022.

Other countries in Latin America are facing economic difficulties due to a slow global economy (bearing in mind that the majority of these countries are rural and dependent of agriculture, mining, forestry, and tourism, not to mention U.S. and international aid. As a result, many of these countries have expanded their trade interests from one based primarily on the U.S. to one based more on China, as well as Asia and the EU.

However, China's economy has cooled somewhat which has had the expected ripple effect on some of its poorer trading partners.  The result has been something of a unbalanced unemployment rate and largely stagnant poverty levels. Relatively high global interest rate and inflation remains a serious problem in servicing debt and public programs. As a result, we see moderately high unemployment along with a reduction in social programs, adding to poverty.

While "economic amnesty" is not recognized, under other forms of amnesty, an individual must seek sanctuary in the "next nearest safe country" . In Latin America, it appears there is no "safe" country. Just varying levels of poverty and unemployment. So, we see possible explanation for thousands of individuals willing to make the long walk to the U.S..

The next big issue is "who" is encouraging these individuals to come to America. Surely they know that illegal immigrants aren't welcome in America. They must know what they'll face when they get to the border. Are they delusional enough to think they'll be an exception? No doubt the drug cartels encourage these people to sell everything they have to make the long and often brutal journey, as long as they make money.

The cartels, using "coyotes" or guides, charge roughly $200 per person (which is a fortune for most of these people). In lieu of money (or even with it), they are often forced to smuggle drugs or other illegal contraband. Sometimes, they are only able to send their children to friends or relatives until they can raise the money to follow. In many cases, there's no assurance the children will reach their destination or that they'll ever see them again.

Using cartel connected coyotes is very dangerous. Immigrants have often reported being beaten, raped while seeing others murdered. The trip is fraught with other dangers such a injuries and no medical facilities (often the coyotes will confiscate any personal medication), corrupt cops and militias who have to regularly be bribed, as well as the lack of food or fresh water while dealing with the weather conditions and having no shelter other than what they brought with them.  

Aside from drug cartels, there are the various religious organizations, especially Catholic. 57.1% of Hispanics are Catholic. Most are historically highly devout and closely follow the dictates of their parish priest.  In America, Catholics are much more open minded and don't give the same level of credence to the priest's instructions, treating them more like  "suggestions" to be followed...or not at one's own discretion.   

From the 1960's onward, most conservative churches have been dying, especially Catholic, causing many parishes to merge while closing numerous schools and other institutions. In addition, there have been fewer priests and nuns signing up. The average age of a priest in 1970 was 30. Today it's 63. When it comes to nuns, only 1% are under 30 with the average age being 80! 

With the immigration of individuals from mostly Catholic Latin America, it's hoped this trend can be reversed. Thus, they are offered shelter (and presumably legal sanctuary since most law enforcement agencies won't enter a religious institution) once they cross the border, as well as help find housing, a job, help with translations and getting various services at taxpayer expense, and of course, religious services are offered in their native Spanish or Portuguese.  

However, to the chagrin of these churches is that a growing number of immigrants, while taking advantage of the services offered, are leaving the restrictions of the church behind. A good number are converting to Islam faster than any other demographic. In fact, in Latin America itself, Islam has grown by 23% with Shiites outnumbering Sunnis. A smaller, but significant percentage, have converted to Evangelical  Protestantism. So, we find not just Catholic organizations encouraging migrants northward, so apparently are Islamic and Protestant organizations too.

Illegal immigration has become more than a political issue of right versus wrong in terms of following the law. It's become an economic issue as employers seek a cheap work force not dependent on unions and are willing to accept long hours for very little money without complaining, thus forcing the traditional workforce to work for less too.

 Various religious groups are looking to grow their numbers and political clout. Meanwhile, mostly traditional conservative Americans are desperately trying to hold on to an America they see slipping through their hands like Texas sand. Hitler once praised Islam, saying that he wished all Germans were Muslims because Islam makes people compliant to authority.

So why isn't Washington doing anything? Simple. The federal government is on the side of Big Business. They fill their coffers, provide the perks and underwrite their campaigns. Both political parties may pretend to be concerned about illegal immigration, but remember that both the Democrats and Republicans are corporate owned and controlled. In truth, they are only concerned to the level Wall Street is. Meanwhile, Washington and Wall Street will continue to offer smoke and mirrors as our America slowly evaporates before our eyes.  

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Sanctions during the VenezuelanCrisis

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World Population Review: Crime RateBy Country 2024

USAID: Providing AdditionalHumanitarian Assistance to Respond to Rising Needs in Haiti

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Latin America economic outlook, November 2023

 

Why are more Hispanics converting to Islam...

 

The Migrant As Pawn

For decades city mayors and state governors, mostly Democrat, have chosen to ignore federal immigration laws by defiantly declaring themselves  a"sanctuary" in the name of compassion. However, all isn't so well in the liberal world of "Bolshevia'. The problem is that they're running out of taxpayer money. 

I suppose all is well so long as the "gravy train" continues to run.  But for that to happen, ordinary working men and women must work longer and harder to stoke the economic engine with more of their hard earned money while leaving ever less money to pay their own bills, put food on the table and put a roof over their heads. Data shows a virtually non-existent middle class compared to just as few generations ago while poverty and homelessness (especially among veterans) grows to unsustainable levels.

To make matters worse for these mayors and governors of Utopia is that other elected representatives and their constituents in other states and towns don't want to play the "kick-the-can-down-the-road" game any longer. Someone, after all, has to be the grown up.

As a result, they've started sending these migrants to all those sanctuary locations with one way bus tickets and a meal card. It's certainly cheaper than forcing their citizens to pay millions just to support the grand ideals of others. If sanctuary cities and states want them, then they can have them along with the responsibility that comes with their words.

But now sanctuary cities and states are rapidly  running out of money. They've already had to cut back on public programs which were available for and paid by their citizens. They've started allowing the homeless to live in public parks, doorways, or wherever else they want. They can use public sidewalks as their personal toilets. Local businesses can't keep them out of their stores or from using their restrooms to clean up in. Businesses are even prohibited from detaining shoplifters, thus crime and everything associated with it becomes rampant.

The result is that tax generating businesses are leaving and taking revenue generating jobs with them. So, local mayors and state governors are demanding that the federal government in Washington turn up the money faucet in order to help them continue to defy federal immigration laws and reinstate public programs. How's that for having chutzpah? 

No one is quite sure about how many illegal immigrants have been shipped around the country, but it's  at least around 100,000 if not more. Of course, you have to feel sorry for these individuals---the men, women, and children---for being moved here and there like some pawn on a chess board, to be used and discarded. After all, most are simply coming here for work and hopefully a better life.

But nevertheless, it's fair to assume that they are aware of the risk and what they were attempting to do was illegal. Breaking U.S. immigration laws was little different from breaking immigration law in their native homeland, except that the repercussions were almost always far more severe.

We can only assume that these individuals have been convinced themselves that they were different. That they could evade authorities and slip across the border undetected. Perhaps long the way one of those church organizations who help individuals break the law could help them. Maybe too they could help shield from the border patrol, ICE, and others. All they need to do was make their way undetected to one of those sanctuary states or cities.  

Hopefully someday, down the road, they can stop looking over their shoulder, stop running and hiding, and just settle down. Perhaps, if they're lucky, some U.S. President, while trying to curry support from certain voters, will grant them amnesty like President Reagan or President Obama did.  Until then, they remain political pawns and will continue to live their life like anyone else on the run. But until then, that's a lot of hoping, wishing, and stress to go along with those "maybes" and "perhaps".

We've all seen those signs which read "No Human is illegal". It seems they're always at every pro-amnesty or pro-migration protest. While it's true that "no person is illegal", on occasion their actions are. That's why we have laws and a judicial system to enforce those laws.

The countries from where many of these migrants embark from, be they in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe, or the Middle East, all have similar immigration laws. just like the United States does. The main difference is that the punishment for breaking their migration laws often far more severe than ours, and yet why does no one complains or speaks out against those?

Nations have defined borders and the right to regulate who crosses those borders. It's one of the cornerstones to national sovereignty which have existed for over five millennia, but today there are those who would deny us that right.  Why should we not have that same right of national sovereignty as any other country? Why should other nations be allow to have borders and laws to enforce those borders but America's be porous?

Europe is prime example of what happens when countries fail to secure their border. The EU has a "open border" policy which allows anyone from anywhere in enter their country regardless of any other factor. As a result, they are being overwhelmed by migrants from the Middle East and Africa. Most are young, male, poorly educated, and Muslim. The result has been a serious clash of cultures.

Many of these individuals are under the false impression that they are "entitled" to practically everything; that the state has to provide them with whatever they want. As a result many have become a serious drain on the nation's safety net. There have been numerous clashes over culture traditions, and values which has its basis in Christianity and the Enlightenment. Crime has also become as serious matter with assaults, rapes, and robberies leading the way.

Meanwhile, oil rich nations like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, or Kuwait  have seen virtually none of these migrants despite sharing similar traditions, values, culture, and language as many of these migrants. They even share the same faith--- Islam.

Saudi Arabia alone has enough tents with air condition to house and support three million migrants, and yet they remain empty. So, why aren't these millions of migrants from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, or Africa not going there?

For one, these Arab nations have strong border security. Anyone illegally crossing their borders are dealt with severely. They also have very restrictive immigration laws. While they do allow individuals to apply to come and work there, long term settlement is very rare.

In addition, these countries are highly selective in who they award temporary work permits to, preferring individuals with good educations and no criminal records, and while they have a very liberal social safety net, they actually expect people to follow the law and work. Imagine that!  As a result, Europe is getting the dregs I suppose.

The U.S. may be facing a similar situation. Very few of those seeking to come illegally aren't well education. The overwhelming majority have a minimum education. Many have little about a basic level. In addition, most of these individuals are low skilled or unskilled. They're coming for any low level job they can find, which is unfortunate since it perpetuates the poverty they're trying to get away from.

In today's high tech world where companies (and employees) compete on a global basis, what the United States desperately needs are doctors and nurses, engineers, data scientists, software developers, and AI specialists. There is, however, a demand for skilled and licensed electricians, plumbers, welders, HVAC specialists, data systems service technicians, and carpenters thanks to the closure of trade and technical schools several years ago.  

So, what does that mean for us? While most of the illegal immigration is coming from Latin America, there are strong indications that we're beginning to see more coming from Asia (especially China and North Korea), India and Ski Lanka, the poorest of the African nations such as Somalia, the Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone, as well as the Middle East, particularly Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.

Among this latter group, there has been several arrest by Mexican authorities of individuals with connections to terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, and ISIS. These individuals were caught while trying to blend in with the migrant caravans. While there's no doubt that there are likely terrorist cells already here, what we don't need are more.

Presidents, Congress, and others of both parties have been promising the American taxpayer for decades that they will "do something" to secure our borders, especially our southern border which is a porous as Swiss cheese.  Thus far, whether you like him or not, only one--- Donald Trump----actually made a serious effort, and he meet with unbridled resistance from both political parties, the media, and financed special interest groups with a vested interest in keeping the border open.

We cannot continue to allow our borders to remain open. Not only are these serious national security issues, they represent a serious threat in the form of diseases we're no longer vaccinated again and viruses like COVID, while the influx also puts as serious strain on our national safety net just as in Europe. And while we need to fill low level jobs, what we seriously need are engineers, doctors, and high tech specialists. Anything less, will only continue hasten America's decline as a world leader.  

Finally, no more "anchor babies". To many women have used their pregnancies and the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment as a way to circumvent immigration laws to remain in the United States. The 14th Amendment, which was adopted in 1868, was never intended to be use in that way. It was intended to confer citizenship on all former slaves. Currently, any child born on U.S. soil automatically gains birthright citizenship. That right extends to the child's parents as well.  

In the interim, the United States needs to accept responsibility for its part in creating the situation in the first place.  We need to stop trying to remake other nations over in our own image. Not everybody wants to be America when it grows up. Hell, given our broken political system, even we don't even want to be America anymore!

 We need to stop throwing our political, economic, and military weight around and intervening in other countries elections. That also includes imposing sanctions and embargoes. If they want to freely elect a socialist, republican, or whatever form of government, that's their business not ours (as an aside, let's stop installing Far Right wing military juntas too okay?). Why don't we act like a world leader and come to a civil solution?

If you enjoyed the article, please consider passing it along to others and don't forget to subscribe. It's free! Lastly please be sure to "like" us on whatever platform you use to read anotheropinionblog.com. It helps beat the algorithms and keeps our articles in circulation. Thank you!

 

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Illegal Immigration and America: Death by a Thousand Cuts?

Once again, a caravan of migrants are heading toward the U.S. border with Mexico. Just how many is a matter of debate. At present, the caravan has roughly 8000 men, women, and children. That number will change greatly as individuals and groups leave while others join. Some of the immigrants admit that their goal is to seek sanctuary in the United States while others want to stay in Mexico, at least for the time being.

Media outlets have (as usual) focused on the women, children, seniors, and handicapped with the aim of turning the event into a typical human interest story, which are great for ratings. The focus, as usual, is on the many hardships facing the migrants. There was a recent report about how migrants were "forced" to sleep on the ground using cardboard for mattresses over Christmas.

They also talk about the dire conditions of walking thousands of miles with essentially no shelter, scarce food or fresh water, little or no medicine except what they brought with them. Some are able to barter with other migrants or local residents for various necessities (toilet paper is always in high demand as are shoes and socks). Several charities have, however, been able to pitch in with donations along the way.

There was one story about a week or so ago where one of the leaders of caravan said that he wanted to bring the plight of migrants living conditions to the attention of the governments of Mexico and the United States. He went to indicate that expected the Mexican government to provide some humanitarian relief, despite the fact that the trip through Mexico is a violation of Mexico's immigration laws and border security.

From the tone of the interview, it seems that some among the migrants were expecting to be provided with air conditioned busses somewhere along their trek northward. In truth, they're lucky they haven't been forced back to Guatemala, where the caravan originated from or detained by Mexican Federales.

The Federales, or Mexican Federal Police are known for the "no nonsense" discipline and enforcement of the law in the same vein as the Texas Rangers or Canadian Mounted Police. There have been numerous reports of rouge elements taking advantage of the migrants through shake downs, rapes, physical beatings, and temporary jail time in one of Mexico's notorious rural jails. There's even been a few unsubstantiated reports of migrants travelling alone or in small groups being murdered.

Of course, there's also the ruthless drug lords to contend with. The route usually taken by migrants take them through areas controlled by various drug cartels, and you can be sure they'll have their hand out in typical gangster fashion---pay up for protection or face the consequences.

Some of the drug cartels offer to provide "coyotes" or guides through relatively safe areas into the United States. They're kinda like a cross between a Old West wagon master and the James/Younger Gang. These coyotes provide nothing more than their expertise as guides through some of the back roads and trails leading to the Mexican-U.S. border, and the best places to cross.

Caravans or individuals migrants moving up from Central and South America, may encounter as many as six different cartels ranging from Los Zetas and Sinaloa in the south to South Pacific Cartel, Juarez Cartel, Gulf Cartel, and the Sinaloa in the north (the Sinaloa cartel control the largest swath of territory in Mexico by far). The central portion of Mexico is largely open and highly disputed, which includes Mexico City.  However, that doesn't mean it's cartel free. Certain areas in central Mexico are run by smaller and non-aligned drug related gangs.

Being a coyote can be a pretty lucrative business. The average coyote charges around $1500 to $5000 per person to bring someone across the border. On any given night, they might move 500 individuals or more. A small operation might make anywhere from $780,000 to over $1 million dollars a year (and all tax free naturally). Large operations can see as much as a billion dollars annually.

A few of these coyotes might hook them up with other coyotes who operate on both sides of the border. These individuals will usually provide transportation once the individual crosses the border, in the form of car trunk or semi truck trailer, bound for someplace far away from border patrol agents.

Occasionally, for those short on cash to pay the coyote, there's a job of sorts waiting for the migrant at journey's end, albeit working in some sweat shop processing drugs or for the younger and more attractive women, a job turning tricks. Some may be tasked with running or warehousing drugs or whatever else the cartel needs. However, most choose to pay their fare and take their chances once they reach the border.

Various religious organizations (mostly Catholic) compete with the cartels for the last leg of the migrants journey into America. These groups ensure contact by advertising extensively in the border towns and communities along both sides of the border. They typically provide a means to contact them and the assurance of transportation once they reach the U.S. and promises of a warm meal and shelter complete with a bed and fresh linen, but it doesn't end there.

Many of these religious groups provide the newly arrived migrant with the kind of help they'll likely need, both legal and financial. They help migrants with completing the necessary forms (and correct wording) in their native language to gain at least temporary status in the U.S.. The current technique involves a plea for amnesty, which is typically given priority (especially if children are involved) and the best part is that not a lot of documentation is required, at least not initially. As an aside, amnesty doesn't apply if the applicant is merely seeking employment or better living conditions.

In addition, these organizations provide legal assistance with all mandatory hearings, and finding long term shelter, help with obtaining employment with businesses that don't ask a lot of questions. These are often in agriculture, farms (including horse racing tracks), hospitality, and construction. They provide aid in navigating the bureaucratic maze to obtain taxpayer paid medical care and school enrollment for their children (which can be in their native language with English never having to be learned...ever).

The cost to the U.S. taxpayer is in the multi-billions (in 2021 the estimate was $120 billion). So why do these groups do it knowing the financial burden they're putting on the already cash strapped Americans? The answer is simple. They sincerely believe they are above the law. Immigration laws, quotes, or whatever doesn't apply to them because they've convinced themselves that they're serving a "higher purpose" and they only have their faith to answer to. Seriously.

Of course, there is the "other" reasons which aren't discussed much, at least not openly. Many of these church based groups are looking to growing their numbers for a variety of reason, but it ultimately comes down to political and economic clout. The more members, the more money flows into their coffers. Secondly, they gain more direct and indirect influence; the kind that politicians pay attention to.

Secondly, since many of the members of these organizations are Democrat, they expect that once the immigrant becomes a citizen, they will repay the kindness by registering as Democrat, The flaw with this tactic is that most migrants are here to find a job. They have no interest in citizenship. They also tend to be fairly conservative socially which puts them at odds with Democratic ideology.

In addition, many of these migrants will end up in trades or industries which are organized. Labor union membership has long been spiraling downward since the 1960's with their core base---production---being sent overseas as a cost cutting measure by businesses. In addition, with more people attending college, many of these entry and low levels positions go unfilled.

The influx of immigrants, legal and illegal, helps to keep these jobs from remaining empty. Since these positions are mostly unionized, filling them pumps badly needed money into union coffers in the form of union dues.  Workers get decent pay, often with good benefits, safe working conditions, job security, and someone to go to bat with them if they need it.

It's far better than working for some dangerous sweatshop with no benefits, impossible lots, and pay so low its illegal. Working conditions are miserable and often unsafe (no air conditioning in the summer, no heat in the winter, no restrooms, etc). And if the boss says you're working 12 hours straight, you are, and there's little recourse. After all, the employer can (and will) hold your immigration status over your head. 

In 2022, some 2.76 million immigrants came north, mostly from Nicaragua, Honduras, Cuba, and Venezuela. They came for a myriad of reasons, from economic conditions (largely triggered by U.S. embargoes and sanctions) to government corruption and wars (many of which we underwrite). So far this year (FY2023), their numbers have been around 2.5 million.

However, U.S. and Mexican government authorities have reported seeing increasing numbers of mainland Chinese, North Koreans, and those from Middle Eastern countries such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, as well as Kurds among the migrants. There is little doubt among government officials that intermingled within these groups are active terrorists. Last year, Mexican authorities incepted several individuals with terrorist connections hiding among the caravans. Most of those caught have been single, male, and of military age.  

The American People have been demanding for decades that Washington contain our southern border, yet nearly every attempt has been thwarted despite U.S. and Mexican officials agreeing that the migrant issue has reached critical levels.  President Trump's efforts to build a wall was meet with fierce        resistance, both in Congress and by the corporate controlled media. So, who is behind the push to keep the border open?

Ironically, one major cause for the influx of migrants is the media itself. According to one recent poll, 71% of individuals between ages 16 and 24 confirm hearing on media outlets rhetoric about the U.S. southern border being "open". They also hear that entry is easy and there are plenty of jobs. That's more than enough incentive for people living in poor economies like Ecuador or El Salvador. 

Powerful drug cartels and corrupt governments are taking advantage of the situation too. For politicians, it's a way to get rid of their poor by encouraging them to go north, thus saving millions in tax dollars. Drug cartels and independent coyotes can easily make millions or more guiding people northward, and of course, there's plenty of unscrupulous individuals along the way to take further advantage.

In the U.S., there are ample religious organizations and special interest groups who would like to see the southern border opened even further, especially among Hispanic communities. Hispanics are the second largest population in the U.S. and growing and they account for 14.3% of all voters (currently they vote Democrat by a 2:1 margin). Within the next 25 years, they will be on par with European whites and perhaps 30 or fewer years into the future, they'll likely hold a majority. This is why both of the corporate owned political parties are currying favor with Hispanics.

The debate over illegal immigration is, in many respects, already over. While the Federation for Immigration Reform (FAIR) projects around 17 million illegal immigrants currently living in the U.S., a study by Yale University says the number is closer to 22 million illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, those numbers grows daily thanks to so-called "sanctuary cities" who openly defy federal immigration laws while simultaneously demanding more federal tax dollars to cope with the influx of illegal migrants!  

With the growth of Hispanic influence, there will be changes unimagined by our parents and grandparents in the U.S.. While socially conservative and family oriented, politically they've tended to lean socialist and populist, but does that reflect America's political and social future?

Given that the U.S. has historically aggressively oppose anything socialist or populist to the point of overthrowing duly elected governments and installing juntas, it will prove interesting to witness. After all,  with a total population of 65.57+ million (13% of which being illegal), are hard numbers to ignore, even in the U.S..

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Coyote

Mexican Cartels

 

Thousands join migrant caravan in Mexico ahead of Blinken's visit to the Capital

Shifting Patterns and Policies Reshape Migration toU.S.-Mexico Border in Major Ways in 2023

Migrant border crossings in fiscal year 2022 topped 2.76million , breaking previous record

The Path to Democratic Socialism: Lessons from Latin America

 

The U.S. cannot ignore the new 'pink tide' in Latin America

Yale Study Finds Twice As Many Undocumented Immigrants AsPrevious Estimates

The Status of Immigration: Poll Show Americans Have Had Enough!

According to the article, "Americans Sour on Immigration", written by Casey Harper of The Center Square (formerly known as Watchdog.Org), a conservative oriented website owned by the Franklin News Foundation, a recent Gallup poll shows voter support for maintaining the current immigration level has dropped.

The poll indicates that the approval level has declined from 34% to just 28%. It hadn't been this low since 2007 when it dropped even lower, to 23% (the highest it has been was 41% in 2018). Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised. Last year (2022), the United States took in just over one million legal immigrants.

The majority came from India, Mexico, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. 25,000 of new arrivals were refugees. Over the preceding 18 months, around 150,000 illegal immigrants crossed into the U.S. according to information released by United States Customs and Border Protection.  The Department of Homeland Security also stated that in the second quarter of 2022, roughly 221,000 "non citizens" were given lawful permanent status to remain in the U.S..

Many immigrants come from Mexico, however, increasing percentages are arriving from Central and South America; countries like Columbia, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. In fact, the majority of immigrants illegally trying to cross our southern border are coming from Venezuela, replacing Mexico as the origin of most illegal immigrants.

The primary reason most often cited is the collapse of the Venezuelan economy following the death of President Hugo Chavez in 2013 and the imposition of strict restrictions by the U.S. government (an example of reaping the whirlwind?).

The most cited reason is economic and political hardship (as an aside, economic hardship is not generally accepted as legitimate reason to claim refugee status).   In addition, individuals arriving from Caribbean (such as El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, also known as the "Northern Triangle") have also been on the rise.

They too cite the economy (in part due to horrific damage cause by increasingly severe hurricanes) as the main reason along with the usual political corruption. These areas underdeveloped economically and are dependent on tourism to keep their economies afloat, but thanks to COVID-19, tourism dropped to a fraction of what it used to be due to travel restrictions  and cancellations by cruise ship companies.

Most of those coming here illegally are settling in Florida, Texas, Arizona (places already with large Hispanic populations) as well as North Carolina. There are also large migratory populations to be found in more rural states like Kentucky, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska.

It's also worth noting that there has also been a substantial increase in individuals from Asian countries coming to America illegally as well with India and China being the top two, followed by Korea and Vietnam.

At present, around 14.6% of the U.S. population are foreign born, which is the highest percentage in 112 years. That translates to about 48 million individuals (legal and illegal) as of September 2022 and a 2.9 million increase since the beginning of the Biden Administration according to the Center for Immigration Studies.  Some 900,000 have gone on to become American citizens according to a report from Pew Research from 2022.

Along with the 48 million immigrants, there were 17.2 million "children" (those under 18 years of age) with a foreign born parent. Therefore, including the immigrant and their children, that account for  approximately one in five U.S. residents.

It's worth noting, particularly given the prevalence of "help wanted" signs appearing in nearly every business window or on every telephone poll, that of the 48 million immigrants in the U.S. roughly half---27.4 million---were employed. This represents two million prior to the COVID-19 crisis. It's worth noting too that most are considered to be hardworking.

In fact, several surveys have shown that most illegal immigrants don't want to become U.S. citizens. They don't want to "blend in" with other Americans, including learning English. They are here solely for the money. Nothing more. Many send a portion back home to support their family.

 In some cases, entire communities are at least partly supported by money sent home by their sons and daughters working in America. If they get caught, so what? They get a free physical paid for by U.S. taxpayers, a good meal, and free trip back home (along with any money earned while here in the States).  Once home many repeat the process all over again a few days or weeks later.

So, what's the takeaway? What are we to make of this?  Well, America has always been the number one "go to" destination for immigrants---legal or illegal. America was, after all, founded by and for immigrants.

No other nation in history (except perhaps Ancient Rome) has had the influx of migrants as we have had. It can truly be said that nearly every country, race, ethnicity, and religion can be found somewhere in this country. I suspect that every language and nearly every dialect can be found here too.

However, America was intended to be a "melting pot". People who came here did so with the intent of becoming "American". To become a U.S. citizen was the goal of nearly everyone who stepped off the boat. Most did their best to learn the language (with varying degrees of success). It was part of what it meant to be American. They did their upmost to adapt to the prevailing customs, laws, and traditions as best as they could.

They tried  to leave behind centuries of hatreds, feuds, and other prejudices. Some changed their names and others their religions. Many married not just out of their social class, but often our their own nationality. This was an opportunity to start completely anew. 

While certain traditions were kept by these new migrants, the objective was to become part of the giant American "melting pot", where our collective backgrounds were added together to create this new being called "American". However, sometime around the 1960's this began to change.

Instead of trying to blend in and part of this nation, we encouraged immigrants to keep their own languages, cultures, traditions, and values. It would be us who would adapt; who would accommodate you.  In time, we began to accept their refusal to blend in and to excuse away their laws and customs even when it came in conflict with our own in the name of "multiculturalism".

Immigrants now can refuse to have their children taught in English, opting instead to have a taxpayer tutor teach them in their former tongue. We provide instructions in a multitude of languages. Even phone recordings are in different languages, which wouldn't be so bad I suppose except we are suppose to "push one" to hear English. As an aside, I won't do it. If you briefly wait, it will continue on in English.  

While we should try to be accommodating, we shouldn't remove the incentive to learn the language spoken here by making it easy to avoid it. Otherwise, we're simply enabling the separation of our nation into ethnic enclaves. As I've said many times over the years, a common language is the thread which binds the fabric of a nation together. 

Once everyone typically wore generally similar types of clothing. Not anymore! Now it's common to see individuals wear traditional native garb. The problem is that some areas try to impose "modest" dress customs (usually based on religious traditions) on others comes into their neighborhoods as if these are foreign enclaves instead of the U.S.

This is a big deal in Europe which even has its own "morality police" which can arrest and even fine so-called "offenders" (usually women) This topic has recently popped up in New York and other U.S. cities. The same goes for food or drinks where pork products or liquor are served or sold in certain neighborhoods.

This has already happened in Europe too where native restaurants are penalized for offering pork or alcohol on their menus. Sure, you can still get these "off menu", but you have to consume them out of sight of other customers less you risk "offending" them. I'll be damned. Give me a BLT and glass of cold beer and I'll enjoy them both wherever I bloody well please!

I don't begrudge anyone's heritage or beliefs, but they should understand that they are the foreigner. It is therefore up to them to adapt to the traditions, values, customs, and language of the nation which took them in and provided them with an opportunity to start over...not the other way around. If they don't like it, they are free to catch the next flight out. That's one of the pluses about America. You can leave at anytime.

We don't need a poll to tell us that Americans are tired of dealing with this mess just as we're tired of weak willed political stooges ignoring us, but the validation that we're not alone doesn't hurt. I also suspect that many immigrants are just as tired of others, in their self-righteous arrogance, making life harder on them as well. We often see signs at rallies and protests which read "No One is Illegal", which is true. No human being is illegal, however, their actions sometimes are. That's why we have laws. 

 

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Foreign-Born Population Hits nearly 48 Million in September2022

U.S. Immigration---2022 in Review

 

DHS: Legal Immigration and Adjustment of Status ReportFiscal Year 2022 Quarter 2

Ten Graphics That Explain the U.S. Struggle With MigrantFlows in 2022

 

 

 

Biden's Grasp on Illegal Immigration

 

As America and the rest of the world continue to deal with Covid and its latest variant, along with the aftermath of our less than valiant departure from Afghanistan, rising inflation, a potential crisis in Asia between an increasingly aggressive China and its neighbors (especially Taiwan), and growing tensions between the U.S. and Russia over whether the Russians will or will not invade the Ukraine (the Russians say no and U.S. intelligence agencies say yes), we've nearly forgotten our ongoing border crisis and influx of illegal immigrants.

Since Joe Biden took office in January 2021, there have been record levels of migrants attempting to cross illegally into the United States, especially after Biden announced cutting back or eliminating many of former President Trump's initiatives to bring the situation under control. Many of the migrants had hoped that Biden would adopt former President Barack Obama's policies which essentially left the border with Mexico virtually open. 

According to Biden's Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, by the end of 2021, the Border Patrol will have had some two million "encounters" with migrants trying to enter the U.S. illegally (that's an increase of 33% over the Trump Era high of 144,000). Bear in mind too that very few of these individuals have been immunized against rudimentary viruses and diseases such as the measles, TB, whooping cough, typhoid, chickenpox, let along Covid, which makes them a extreme health risk.   

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in August that the spread of Covid by "non-citizens" was a "serious danger", which came just as 4000 Haitians were caught in Del Rio Texas, making them yet another unvaccinated group attempting to illegally enter the U.S..

Speaking of Afghanistan, some of our intelligence agencies have projected that cells from ISIS or Al-Qaida may attempt to cross our southern border in retaliation, likely with the help of the major drug cartels who have been stepping up their own operations, including the smuggling of individuals across the border frontier using "coyotes" or guides at $10,000 a head, who are often passed off to one of the associated gangs on this side of border such as MS 13 or Latin Kings, who are known for their violence.

What's Biden to do? Mayorkas has informed the President as well as U.S. senators that the immigration system is "broken", which comes as no surprised given the decades it's been kicked around like a political football with no real direction.  Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands continue to march their way north. Why?

The situation in several of the countries in South and Central America, such as Venezuela, is desperate. However, in that particular case, it's economic implosion has been more the result of U.S. sanctions and embargoes than anything else, especially given its near singular dependence on oil exportation.

As a result, many Venezuelans had fled to neighboring countries, creating a greater strain on their economies. As an aside, several of these countries offer little to no public safety nets even for their own citizens, let alone migrants. The result is the continual shift northward (in some cases with the tacit encouragement of local and national governments).

Some migrants report being told by the police or military that the U.S. was encouraging immigrants to come. They're are told there are ample jobs and public support waiting for anyone crossing into the U.S. (all lies of course). Many of these same immigrants also report extreme abuse by some of these same police officers and military personnel including assault, rape, extortion, theft, arrest, and even murder.

As heinous as this may be, it's not surprising. Government authorities are often under orders to keeping the immigrants moving. However, that's no excuse for their behavior. It does, however, explain why a large number of migrants are scared of police or other "authority" figures. This is typically exploited by sweat shops and "boiler room operations" who employment illegals; paying them next to nothing, working them long hours in often unsafe conditions knowing they're unable run to the police.

 

So, what's being done? Well, after campaigning against many of Trump's policies on illegal immigration, the Biden Administration has quietly reinstated a few of Trump's programs such as encouraging immigrants to remain in Mexico or return home; returning "asylum seekers" to Mexico while their application is reviewed and processed. Meanwhile, asylum seekers are vaccinated against Covid and given a six month time limit to comply with any requests supporting their status.

It should be pointed out that neither the United States, the United Nations, or organizations such as Amnesty International recognize "economic asylum seekers". That's individuals leaving their home country looking for jobs. Additionally, those seeking asylum for political, racial, ethnic, cultural, or religious reasons (such as persecution) are required by international law to seek asylum in the next closest country.

So that means if their coming from Venezuela for instance, the next closest countries would be Columbia or Guyana. Perhaps, maybe, Ecuador or Panama.  But certainly not Mexico or the United States.  Thus, if they are coming for economic betterment they would be classified as a "migrant", and would have no have legal status to enter and remain in the country.

It should noted that the U.S. Border Patrol has reported that for the first time there are a significant number of  individuals coming from countries such as Ecuador, Brazil, Nicaragua, as well as Haiti and Cuba. The reasons again appear to be mainly economic, especially given the recent downturn in certain key commodity industries such as coffee, papaya, or banana exports, not to mention climatic disasters.

On his first official day in office, Present Biden ordered a stoppage to the border wall and cut all funding for the project. Biden also ended the national emergency declaration President Trump had previously issued regarding the border crisis. Biden has also transferred the care of unaccompanied children and minors to the Department of Health and Human Services for temporary settlement while they await a decision on the permanent status.

As for the separation of families, which Trump was accused of instituting by the media (although originally implemented under the Obama Administration), in which, in some cases, resulted in parents being deported without their children, has been stopped...mostly. Under Biden, most, but not all families, have been reunited while remaining in custody.

Previously, migrants or coyotes would send children ahead of their parents in the hopes they would granted at least temporary sanctuary in the United States. Meanwhile, the parents (or those claiming to be their parents or a close relative) who demand entry to be reunited with their children. Once they were allowed entry into the country, many of the children were simply abandoned by the faux parent or relative.

Another old "trick" was to smuggle pregnant women across the border (while others would come pretending to be a "tourist" or visiting family). Once they had their child on American soil, the child would be granted American citizenship in a deliberate misuse of the 14th Amendment.  

Obviously the mother would remain. She would then demand that her spouse be allowed in. Later, other family members such as brothers, sisters, grandparents (and in some cases even uncles and aunts) would be granted entry under the pretext of keeping their family unit intact. This was termed "anchor baby" (in Canada it's called "passport baby").  This same ploy has been used in other countries by those seeking to skirt existing immigration laws.

Lastly, the Biden Administration, in another reversal of  Trump policy, has decided to raise the ceiling on the number of refugees allowed in the U.S. from 15,000 under Trump to 125,000 for this fiscal year beginning in October (he had allowed 62,000 refugees from April through September 31).  Under President Obama, that number was 110,000.

The primary location of settlement for most of America's estimate 10.7 million illegal immigrants has been the southwest running from California to Texas. Most tend to live in one of 20 major metropolitan areas, especially San Diego, Las Angeles, San Jose, Ft. Worth, Dallas, and San Francisco.

However, other large metropolitan cities with growing Hispanic populations include Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Miami (mainly Cubans), Atlanta, Las Vegas/Reno, Phoenix, and along the northeast seaboard which takes in Washington D.C., New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia.  There are also small pockets in rural states such as Kentucky, Kansas, Iowa, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Nebraska which depend on seasonal farm help.

An interesting aside is that while Hispanics are now the largest minority block in America, surpassing blacks over a decade ago, and on track to be on par with whites in about two decades (or less), Asian presence in America is also growing dramatically.

While Asian immigrants tend to live in other Asian countries, about 15% of the 114.9 million Asian immigrants live in the U.S..  Almost half live in California, New York, or Texas. It's notable that while the largest group are Chinese, it's those from Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia) as well as Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines whose percentages have increased the most. Meanwhile, immigrants from India, Mongolia, and the former Soviet Union Republics of countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, which are predominately Muslim, has risen sharply as well.

It's also worth nothing that, unlike many of the Hispanic immigrants,  Asian immigrants typically have a strong working knowledge of English. Some are not only proficient in English, but speak a third, fourth, or even fifth language with some degree of proficiency.  They also tend to be well educated, with many holding college degrees, especially those from India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Japan. 

America is changing. We are becoming with no clear cut majority. There is no stopping it. While we would, as a country, prefer the better educated Asians, we must accept that we also need the lesser educated field worker too. However, we cannot continue to allow illegal immigration to continue.

It creates a health concern with those entering the U.S. unvaccinated. It places a tremendous strain on our already deeply frayed social safety net with many paying little or nothing in taxes, leaving American Taxpayers to pick up the tab. However, Big Business likes the inflow of immigration since it increases competition for jobs and drives down wages and boost profits. It also allows the unscrupulous an opportunity to exploit workers for an even fatter profit.  

Uncontrolled immigration also creates a security crisis since we don't know who might be entering this country as friend or foe. We've already caught terrorists trying to sneak in. But for every one caught, how many made it in? The failure to speak English or conform to our laws and values destroys the fabric of the nation.  That reminds me of an old Irish saying which says that a land without a common language is a land without a soul.

Every country has the right and legal, as well as moral obligation to secure and protect its borders and its citizens. The U.S. is no different.  We need to stop playing political football with immigration. If we're going to end this partisan nonsense, stopping illegal immigration would be a good place to start.

 

What are President Biden's challenges at the border?

Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants: A Critical Difference

 

20 metro areas are home to one in ten unauthorizedimmigrants in the U.S.

 

What's happening at the U.S. - Mexico border in 7 charts

Immigrants from Asia in the United States