"N2EY" wrote:

I would point out that back in 1906 there were
people criticizing the immigration of those times.
Particularly immigrants who weren't from the
"right" parts of northern and western Europe...


Part of the problem was that immigration was being sold at the time as a
way to grow and further tame the West, while many immigrants simply couldn't
afford to move West once they got here - something the government seemed to
have overlooked. The result was a flood of new immigrants into Eastern
cities. Of course, the government did eventually get what it wanted as many
in the East simply moved West to get away from the new immigrants. Just
kidding (I think). ;-)


Immigration quotas were enacted early in the 20th
century for all these reasons and more.


Many of those quotas lasted well into the 1960's (my wife is a history
major and she was just reading about them a few days ago).


I think that for the reason of national security alone,
we have to:

- change the criteria for legal immigration
- reduce/eliminate illegal immigration and visa abuse
- work towards better labor practices through both
government and marketplace action


I agree. There isn't going to be an easy solution. Multiple steps, in just
the areas you describe, will have to be taken to insure a lasting solution
instead of a quick fix that falls apart in a few months. Sadly, we don't
seem to have any long term plans in this country - a game plan that
stretches out beyond just the next year or so. Bush is gearing up for next
year's election, but what about the month or year after that election? What
about ten years from now?


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/