A Review of the Immigration Paradox

THE IMMIGRATION PARADOX

The Immigration Paradox

1. What are the different positions regarding immigration that are depicted?

While there are those who are angrily and passionately opposed to immigration, there are others who, like Lourd Lee Vasquez at the onset, wonder why immigration is a deeply emotive issue for some. Those in the second category feel that we are all members of the human race and should, thus, strive to get along with each other. However, there are others who have a much deeper perspective about immigration – sourced from their deeper understanding of America’s history as well as the history of immigration itself.

2. What are the significant problems in addressing immigration into the United States that are discussed in the movie?

Our country, as some of those featured in the film – including Dr. Michael L. Schwalbe, Michele Waslin, and Angela Kelley – indicate, continues to deploy an immigration system that is inherently outdated. Some of the experts featured in the film also indicate that when it comes to how best to solve the issue of undocumented immigrants in the country, no consensus has been arrived at. It is also important to note that as Lourd Lee Vasquez points out, yet another significant problem in addressing the immigration issue happens to be lack of open-mindedness. This is more so the case in relation to failure to appreciate or embrace the experiences and beliefs of other people and adapt our perspectives accordingly.

3. How are those problems being addressed?

At present, the problem is largely being addressed as a social, economic and/or political conflict.

4. Have they been successful in addressing the problem(s)?

So far, the solutions floated have not been very effective. This is more so the case given that a non-partisan, all-inclusive, and long-term approach is yet to be formulated and deployed.

5. What arguments or policies did you find most persuasive in addressing the issues of immigration?

In my opinion, the best approach in this case would be the one that views this particular problem from the historical context. This is to say that the policies formulated on this front ought to be founded upon good understanding of migration history in the U.S. Indeed, as Lourd Lee Vasquez points out, it is because of our poor comprehension of the issue that we have been repeating some historical injustices on this front. Thus, in the final analysis, I am convinced that a society that is better connected and more informed will be less fixated on inequality and exploitation and be more focused on existing and emerging opportunities.