Conservatives and Illegal Immigration

As a conservative-libertarian, I am struggling to understand why so many conservative Republicans have an issue with Illegal Immigration. What’s really bothering them? Is it that these immigrants did not stand in line or is it that they are not assimilating or is it that they are a burden to taxpayers or is it something completely different that’s not out in the open?

I, as a conservative, am not bothered by the accusation that Illegal Immigrants are a burden on our system and on us, taxpayers. Yes, they do consume resources and yes, I do pay for them. The reason it doesn’t bother me is that these are people who are primarily motivated to make things better for themselves and their families against all odds. That kind of a person, who takes matter into their own hands have a mindset that is fundamentally independent. I am certain that if we come up with a means for them to pay taxes, they will. These are the kinds of people that conservatives typically like. Who, I don’t like paying for is that native born, able-bodied, non-job seeking, lazy man on welfare. This is the person who undoubtedly has had all the opportunities and yet has decided to live like a slob on the streets of a third world country.

I don’t understand how we can call what some of the cities like Farmer’s Branch, Texas, are doing as conservative? They are barring illegal immigrants from renting. Now, an illegal immigrant cannot pay income tax, but they do pay sales tax when they buy things and by paying rent, pay into the overall property tax a city collects. Throwing these people on the street is going to reduce the revenue the city gets, increase crime and force the city to spend more on law enforcement. This leads to bigger government, which is not a conservative idea. It would be more productive if these city and local governments would apply pressure on Congress and the federal government to immediately design a way that enables illegal immigrants to pay state and federal taxes.

I also don’t understand why native born Americans – a large majority – who did not have to stand in any line to become Americans are claiming to be upset at others not standing in line. It could be a legitimate grievance of other legal immigrants, but even they did not loose their position in line due to an illegal immigrant. Therefore, I am not convinced that this, though cited quite often as the bothering factor, is really a reason conservatives are upset. But if this is your concern, you should read about why we have huge lines in the first place by going thru the Immigration Acts since 1790 and our race based quota system for who can come in and in what numbers.

Now, what does bother me as a conservative though is lack of assimilation. I believe that as Americans we share significant common values and beliefs and lack of assimilation is causing separate sub-societies detrimental to the progress of our united nation. For example, I believe that all immigrants must learn English and we as a nation must have one common language. Not knowing English will limit opportunities that immigrants will have, which in turn breeds frustration and resentment, and from that will raise tensions and the need for protected classes which I believe is unfair.

So, if you are a conservative and if illegal immigration is bothering you, you need to do some soul searching to see what’s at the core of that frustration. If what’s really upsetting you is that it is making America more Brown than you can stand, stop hiding under the name conservative. You are making me look bad.