Another illegal immigration theory ?

Question

While debating the issue with some co-workers.One said that since this country was basically built on slavery,the illegal immigrants are the slaves replacements and this is why the government will never do anything but give amnesty.
What do you think ?

Answer 1

It is a good analogy. Our society has become dependent on cheap labor and if you ask most Americans are you willing to pay more to have your lawn mowed or for crops they will say no. Yes there are some saying they will and probably would but too many of us have become dependent on the work of those who work in the shadows. Also I agree with DAR the guest worker program should not be an option it won't help.

Answer 2

There is, at least in part, some truth to that statement. Sadly, America (The US), has a history of exploiting cheap-labor where they can find it. They did so through the use of African Slaves. Chinese Coolies were used in addition to other labor sources for building the 1st trans-continental railroad in The US. Immigrant labor by those of Hispanic Ancestry has been used for many years in our country (it is not a recent event). Irish Laborers took most of the unwanted jobs no one else would do, during the earlier years of America. Those who were Jewish often took less than desirable jobs. Then there are the Women in the earlier history of The US (who originally were not allowed to vote), that were expected to keep their place as a Wife, Mother & Homemaker (not that being a Wife, Mother & Homemaker is bad), but there were not many opportunities beyond that for Women. All-in-All- I believe the "Native Peoples" (American Indians) received the most cruel and unfair treatment of all, and that was the almost total destruction of their people, society & way-of-life, to make room for the 1st immigrants that came here- and those immigrants were from Europe (it is debated rather the English or the Spanish came 1st), though that is a small issue. The US does have quite a track-record for utilizing cheap-labor when the opportunity is there, no matter who they can find willing to do the work.

Note: I am not advocating "illegal immigration" to The US, but there is a certain irony to those words, considering how those of European Ancestry immigrated here. I also do not advocate many of the business tactics used by "Corporate America" these days, that so often gives them more than their fair-share of "The American Pie". Enron is just one example that comes to mind- and everyone was exploited there.

Answer 3

I think the time-lag is a little too great for that theory to hold.

But, in the more general sense - that the goverment is willfully leaving immigration laws unenforced to bring cheap labor into the country - it's basically correct.

Your friend just skipped sharecropping, Jim Crow, the rise of Unions, the Great Depression, and the Civil Rights movement in his analysis.

Answer 4

I see absolutely no similarity between slaves, who were chained & whipped & forced to work without wages, and immigrants who came here voluntarily to work for the best wages they can find.

Do you want to talk about "exploiting cheap labor"? U.S. immigration restrictions help Mexican fat cats exploit cheap labor by preventing Mexican workers from going to where they can get the highest wages. So everybody who supports immigration laws is a supporter of the "exploitation of cheap labor." The alternative is freedom.

I'm proud to be American, and I'm not afraid to compete with anybody. Let them come, and may the best workers get the best jobs.

Answer 5

I think amnesty defeats the purpose, because once legalized, they are no longer willing to work as slaves.

I think they undermine wages and lifestyle just as the slaves in the south did to the farmers in the north pre-civil war, however.

And I think the prospective looking guest worker program for NEW workers fills that niche in so far as our law will allow.

Answer 6

That makes sense.Before the civil war,slaves weren't paid,but had room and food. Now days,slaves are paid cheap wages and have to buy their own food and shelter.

Answer 7

Only this time without better regulation the quick fix slaves may become the masters, and this person has hard enough time spelling English.

Answer 8

I must say I agree....

They may undermine wages for other poor Americans, but not for the wealthy and middleclass lifestyles....