You've Extended your Welcome

This past week, I read an editorial titled "Undocumented Immigrants Will no Longer be able to Rent in this Small Nebraska Town" on Think Progress. The editorial was written by Esther Yu-Hsi Lee and discusses a Nebraska town's effort of keeping undocumented immigrants from staying and finding jobs. Due to the rapid growth of undocumented immigrants, the town feels that native citizens have been put under a "financial burden" due to legal challenges through property taxes. Fremont, Nebraska hope to follow in Hazleton, Pennsylvania and Farmers Branch, Texas' footsteps by passing a city ordinance banning undocumented immigrants from find jobs and renting homes.

In this editorial, Lee expresses many logical ideas. She quotes many outside sources and presents them in a manner pertinent to the topic at hand. She quoted Laurel Marsh, the ACLU Nebraska director, by stating "If this law goes into effect, it will cause discrimination and racial profiling against Latinos and others who appear to be foreign born, including U.S. citizens." This theory is plausible, simply due to the fact that some people appear to be of foreign nationalities, when in actuality, they are not. Also, she brings up that the nearby Hormel plant recruits large numbers of low- paid, undocumented workers. This is a reason why this ordinance should not be passed. Foreigners who immigrate and end up in Fremont are hungry for opportunity, and are willing to work the jobs(Hormel) that documented citizens are not willing to work.

Lee presents her ideas in a short and direct manner. She uses many sources, which make her work credible. From a personal standpoit, I believe that undocumented immigrants should not be turned away. However, I do am not against them gaining citizenship so that they can get jobs and find homes in Fremont. They only need the opportunity to feel welcome.

Only the Smartest Can Come to Detroit

I recently read an editorial in the New York Times titled "Detroit’s Immigration Solution." The editorial was put out by The Editorial Board, and describes the way Governor Rick Snyder wishes to aid in the immigration problem in Detroit, Michigan. His plan, a rather strange one, is to attract 50,000 immigrants over five years using a special visa program. However, there is a catch. Not just "anybody" can flock to Detroit. His proposal is to invite and draw only the most innovative and brightest immigrants to Detroit, such as individuals holding professional degrees or expertise in a certain field. A need for innovative rejuvenation is needed in Detroit, and Governor Snyder as well as many supporters believe that this plan can help aid in that area.

The authors intended audience is the national public, such as you and I. The editorial is credible and logical. The author argues that such a lucrative plan could hold certain repurcussions, such as the new visa holders moving to new places rather than stay in Detroit. Also, the author argues that such a plan may rob less qualified immigrants the chance to take the blue collar jobs that many domestic residents are not willing to take. Limiting who and who cannot come to Detroit in search of a better life is unjust. There will always be a need for innovative and bright people, as well as those willing to work in kitchens, clean houses, and other jobs deemed unwanted.

I agree with the author's points and logic. Limiting who and who cannot come to Detroit is not right because there are needs in every sector of the workforce. From a personal standpoint, the plan could hold beneficial or detrimental effects. If it were to work the way it is planned to, the research sector of the Detroit workforce could find itself in a great state of rejuvenation. However, Detroit may find itself in a predicament due to immigrants moving elsewhere and the lower sectors of the workforce being left unfilled.