Aknauta
12-30-2002, 01:51 PM
cis.org
Immigration Policy for an Age of Mass Movement
by Irwin M. Stelzer
A rational immigration policy should aim to enrich a host nation whilst doing what it can to reduce opposition to the social consequences of immigration.
The populations of the world are on the move, propelled by oppression and poverty in some countries; attracted by job opportunities in the growing economies of the industrialised countries, or by the relatively generous welfare benefits available in the world's richer countries; and facilitated by the rapid communication of the availability of opportunities and the declining cost of transportation. The United States, for instance, welcomes some 800,000 legal immigrants annually. Indeed, America is in the midst of what Harvard Professor George Borjas calls the 'Second Great Migration [which] has altered the "look" of the United States in ways that were unimaginable in the 1970s.'1
But data for legal immigration tell only part of the story. A huge trade in illegal immigrants is now organised by highly efficient people-smuggling gangs that control train, truck, bus, shipping, and hotel assets. Estimates of the number of people risking the perils that face illegal migrants in order to seek better lives in foreign countries vary. The most often cited is that of Britain's Home Office, which estimates that about 30 million people are smuggled across international borders every year in a trade worth between $12 billion and $30 billion annually, with 500,000 illegals entering the EU annually.2
Many who would ring-fence their countries are patriots who are devoted to the historic values of their nation, and who want to see those values preserved. (http://www.cis.org.au/policy/summer01-02/PolicySummer01_1.htm l)
Immigration Policy for an Age of Mass Movement
by Irwin M. Stelzer
A rational immigration policy should aim to enrich a host nation whilst doing what it can to reduce opposition to the social consequences of immigration.
The populations of the world are on the move, propelled by oppression and poverty in some countries; attracted by job opportunities in the growing economies of the industrialised countries, or by the relatively generous welfare benefits available in the world's richer countries; and facilitated by the rapid communication of the availability of opportunities and the declining cost of transportation. The United States, for instance, welcomes some 800,000 legal immigrants annually. Indeed, America is in the midst of what Harvard Professor George Borjas calls the 'Second Great Migration [which] has altered the "look" of the United States in ways that were unimaginable in the 1970s.'1
But data for legal immigration tell only part of the story. A huge trade in illegal immigrants is now organised by highly efficient people-smuggling gangs that control train, truck, bus, shipping, and hotel assets. Estimates of the number of people risking the perils that face illegal migrants in order to seek better lives in foreign countries vary. The most often cited is that of Britain's Home Office, which estimates that about 30 million people are smuggled across international borders every year in a trade worth between $12 billion and $30 billion annually, with 500,000 illegals entering the EU annually.2
Many who would ring-fence their countries are patriots who are devoted to the historic values of their nation, and who want to see those values preserved. (http://www.cis.org.au/policy/summer01-02/PolicySummer01_1.htm l)