Apparently the Times News forgets to ask questions when it is writing in support of a cherished ideal.
According to the opinion editors, the CSI refugee center is a boon to our local economy. Are you kidding me!? They cite a quote from the director of the center claiming 3 million dollars in grant and other moneys coming to the area as a result of the center, along with providing area employers with a vital source of unskilled entry-level workers. That's exactly what we need in our area; unskilled workers w/no language skills and no true support system (i.e. church and family) outside of the refugee center.
What about the services consumed by these newcomers? The first step the center takes in helping them adjust to their new digs is to run them down to the state Health and Welfare office and sign them up for rent assistance, heating assistance, WIC, and a plethora of other programs put in place to boost up and support our state's working poor. The customers of the refugee center also compete with area residents for the limited spaces in subsidized housing. If you don't think this is a big deal, try talking with families on the waiting list for these facilities.
As far as entry-level workers, we have a great source of hard-working people with a built-in support system. Our area employers are comfortable working with them, have a basic understanding of their culture, and know that if made to feel welcome they provide an excellent pool of employees. These good people from the southern area of our continent also have proven willing to do whatever job is necessary for local agriculture operations. This has proven critical to our area's continued economic stability. There is a sense of latent racism in the refugee center's focus away from areas to the south of us.
Local school districts have a framework and staff trained and able to work with spanish-speaking students. They employ bi-lingual educators, and work very hard to adjust to the realities of a somewhat migratory population. The refugee center's obsession with Eastern Europe and non-latin countries place a staffing burden on districts for which there is no renumeration. I wonder how much of the 3 million they claim to have brought into the area went to reimburse districts for the added expense. I also wonder if the teachers are being paid bonuses for the extra work required to teach students with very unstable home lives and limited support outside of school. These students commonly require much of a teachers time to help them catch up and keep pace with their classmates.
There are many new families here as a result of the center's efforts and we have an obligation to help them progress and succeed. However, I question whether the significant burden they place on our already strained institutions is worth the dubious benefits claimed by those whose employment and financial well-being is directly tied to the center's continued operation.
What about the services consumed by these newcomers? The first step the center takes in helping them adjust to their new digs is to run them down to the state Health and Welfare office and sign them up for rent assistance, heating assistance, WIC, and a plethora of other programs put in place to boost up and support our state's working poor. The customers of the refugee center also compete with area residents for the limited spaces in subsidized housing. If you don't think this is a big deal, try talking with families on the waiting list for these facilities.
As far as entry-level workers, we have a great source of hard-working people with a built-in support system. Our area employers are comfortable working with them, have a basic understanding of their culture, and know that if made to feel welcome they provide an excellent pool of employees. These good people from the southern area of our continent also have proven willing to do whatever job is necessary for local agriculture operations. This has proven critical to our area's continued economic stability. There is a sense of latent racism in the refugee center's focus away from areas to the south of us.
Local school districts have a framework and staff trained and able to work with spanish-speaking students. They employ bi-lingual educators, and work very hard to adjust to the realities of a somewhat migratory population. The refugee center's obsession with Eastern Europe and non-latin countries place a staffing burden on districts for which there is no renumeration. I wonder how much of the 3 million they claim to have brought into the area went to reimburse districts for the added expense. I also wonder if the teachers are being paid bonuses for the extra work required to teach students with very unstable home lives and limited support outside of school. These students commonly require much of a teachers time to help them catch up and keep pace with their classmates.
There are many new families here as a result of the center's efforts and we have an obligation to help them progress and succeed. However, I question whether the significant burden they place on our already strained institutions is worth the dubious benefits claimed by those whose employment and financial well-being is directly tied to the center's continued operation.
Being against immigration, especially in these trying times, is always a guaranteed crowd pleaser. The problem is the crowd has brought us several stock market bubbles, one housing bubble, and elected one of the more marginal candidates ever to the highest office in our nation. So while let's not forget about people power let's also not let ignorance blind us.
ReplyDeleteOur country was founded by and prospered through the efforts of immigrants. America has pulled the best and brightest from across the globe for over two centuries now. The number of companies founded by immigrants as opposed to native citizens further illustrates these newcomers drive. Immigrant work force participation is also higher than the native born.
Some may claim we have an immigation problem, I disagree. The day I am having to leave my family behind for several years as I swim the Rio Grande to find work in Mexico is the day I will feel there is an immigration problem. The strength of those who have the drive to improve their and their families lives will never be stopped by fences or guards.
Our biggest fear should be that someday the masses will no longer risk it all to make it here. If we are really serious about ending immigration, the solution is simple. Just use the states that are steadily losing population, New York, Michigan, and New Jersey as role models. If we implement these states cutting edge practices in no time at all immigration will cease to be a pollable issue.