For too long, the debate over U.S. immigration policy has been determined by people and organizations who simply do not understand the potential of more immigration to help the United States economy and society in general. Ironically, the benefits of even greater immigration are completely missed by immigration “hawks” who see every immigrant, documented, or undocumented as a threat to the American way of life as they view it, or imagine it. The immigration hawks have also painted immigration as part of a zero sum game where every benefit, every job, every opportunity that goes to an immigrant is one less job for an American citizen. Unfortunately, the passion that leads the hawks to voluntarily and vigilantly patrol our borders and pass laws like those in Arizona, Alabama and Georgia leads to an inability to reason and admit the error of their position even when it can be demonstrated that their position is inimical to their own interests.
The United States is physically a very large country. Anyone who has taken an airplane trip across the country will see that most of the land mass of the United States is unoccupied. On a recent trip across country from NYC, I noticed while looking out the window from 30,000 feet that there are seemingly tracks of land that you could fit a state the size of Connecticut in and still have room for RI, VT and NH. Granted some of this land is not the most desirable or is currently national forest land, or is land used by our national defense to test weapon systems, but there is no denying that there is plenty of land. The myth the immigration hawks want us to all believe that ‘there is no room at the inn.’ That the United States cannot absorb additional people because we do not have the infrastructure, the wealth, or the opportunity for any more people. The xenophobia and in some cases out right racism that result are based on a false myth. Some might even argue that underlying the hawks position is a fear of Latinos taking over. Thank goodness Latinos are not also large believers in Sharia law, because I can only imagine the animosity they would face.
The truth of the matter is, the United States, based on the recent 2010 census is a country of about 300 million people. I would offer that we could easily absorb another 100 million people. This might shock even those who do not consider themselves immigration hawks. Where would we put all of these people? Certainly not in New York City, Boston, Miami, Houston, San Diego, Chicago, or LA. That is correct, even I would admit to a problem with adding millions to the populations of our most populous cities. But where is it written that we cannot create new New York Cities, Bostons, San Diegos and Houstons?
There was a time in our history when it was the official policy of the U.S. government to populate under populated areas of the country, often at the expense of Native Americans. But imagine the economic stimulative effect of deciding to build ten brand new metropolitan areas using the latest green technology and transportation system in what are now completely un-populated regions and offering employment and residency to new immigrants to build, live, work and remain in these new urban centers. If you think it cannot be done, think Las Vegas. Las Vegas was nothing but a truck stop 60 years ago. And although you might not like the industry that has been their life blood, it proves the concept that building in “undesirable” places can be done.
I am convinced that visionary leadership should take what appear to be obstacles and turn them into advantages. Visionary leadership should think of transforming the undesirable into the desirable. Visionary leadership should embrace and encourage greater immigration combined with a plan for better country. Then and perhaps only then will begin to see the potential more immigration from all corners of the world can do for all of us.
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