"... and borrowing money from relatives. On a recent day back home in India’s Haryana state, he opened Snapchat on his phone. It was filled with images of friends who have reached the United States, dancing at the Mexican border while their families back home set off fireworks and cut a cake in the shape of an American flag. 'I feel, let me go, too,' he said."
From
"Ever more undocumented Indian migrants follow ‘donkey’ route to America" (WaPo)(free access link).
I just want to say that "a cake in the shape of an American flag" is a rectangular cake. That cake was in the shape of
every country's flag (
save Nepal's). Perhaps the icing nailed it down as a U.S. flag.
Anyway, I'm a bit touched at the celebrations displaying the Indian's idea of America. It's a terrible shame that we've allowed the process of immigration to become so degraded that people this enthusiastic about our beautiful country can't pursue a legal option.
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The big lie that most of these illegal entrants are walking across Mexico.
No - most of them are being driven via caravan - to the border.
A clear indication that current conditions persist because the powerful don't want documented legal entrants who would be far more difficult to exploit and therefore less in need of political protection.
It'll be a shame to send them back, but the laws are there for a reason. Next time knock first.
It's a terrible shame that we've allowed the process of immigration to become so degraded that people this enthusiastic about our beautiful country can't pursue a legal option.
the powerful don't want documented legal entrants who would be far more difficult to exploit and therefore less in need of political protection.
And there you have it.
I was an immigration attorney for a few years (H1-B, back before it became a program to import cheap labor) and I was regularly appalled by what we put people through to come here legally even without the comparison to the hand-wringing and catering we do over people who come here illegally.
If we're serious about securing our borders while still meeting sensible immigration goals, the solution has a name: high fence, wide gate.
“ People are now saying to get out quickly, before Trump comes back,” said the Punjabi agent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss illegal activities.”
They can pursue a legal option. They prefer the DIY approach.
They want to come here because people respond to incentives. More free stuff in a month than they earn in a year back home, laws don’t apply to you, subsidized travel to get here, sacred cow status amongst American liberals. People respond to incentives…
Other countries have strict immigration control. Why can’t we be more like Canada?
I agree, Ann. We need more immigrants who are enthusiastic about America, her traditions, and her promise. And that describes many, perhaps most, illegal immigrants. We need to fix our processes, no question. But open borders are untenable and unfair.
Meanwhile, we can create more opportunities by making it easier to renounce citizenship and leave. Let the trustafarians and other America-haters go!!!!
You won’t remember but President Orange was willing to sit with Democrats and develop a rational immigration policy- everything on the table. He was ignored…
Can't or won't?
I'd like to see an explanation of can't.
Fundamental transformation indeed! Did you vote for this?
No?
It's Destroying Our Democracy.
Wait till those Haitian escapees show up.
This summer gonna be lit!
It's been a while since I've been solemnly assured that "migrants" are mostly people fleeing oppressive regimes that are about to kick in their doors and arrest them. Seems like it is more like the relatively well heeled who can afford to book this rather expensive - albeit one way - travel. A really oppressive regime would of course know exactly what they are up to and stop it, probably in the process confiscating all their assets instead of, one assumes, just taking baksheesh left right and center to facilitate matters.
A wall would have delineated between legal order and criminal migration, and saved thousands of lives along the donkey corridor. Unfortunately, the incentive fur Democratic gerrymandering, labor arbitrage, and diversity exceed the valuation of upholding the Constitution and civil rights.
Well I happen to be someone who came to this beautiful country the legal way, and I'm shocked that anyone would even call what is happening now "immigration". I also happen to have come from a country that was taken over by communists. I simply can't believe how rational, intelligent people are watching this invasion so calmly, fully aware that it is being encouraged, financed, and openly continued by our own government.
Are American born citizens really this clueless?
"It's a terrible shame"
It's also an outrage. Not that it matters for some voters.
"we've allowed"
Depends on the meaning of "we." The PTB didn't "allow" it, they deliberately created the malfunction and chaos. Biden then explicitly and deliberately eliminated the few controls n the invasion that Trump had instituted. As a result, of course, few potential "migrants" will take the legal route.
"the process of immigration to become so degraded that people this enthusiastic about our beautiful country can't pursue a legal option"
They can. It's just that they are much less likely to get what they want. Since their enthusiasm doesn't include actual respect for our actual laws, they happily degrade the rule of law and civic order just a little bit more, beautifully exploiting the beauty of our system byt making demands for shelter in hotels, social services in major cities, free care at overburdened hospitals, and special ed for illiterate kids. Aided and abetted by progs and part of the GOPe, shamelessly.
It's a felony to act in abetting illegal immigration to the USA. So why hasn't DOJ charged all these NGOs and charities operating organised caravans to the border?
Under RICO.
AG Garland has announced the Justice Dept will sue any states that require voter ID or try to restrict the use of drop boxes and mail-in voting.
I'm sure this has nothing to do with opening the border and ushering in millions of illegal immigrants though, so don't worry about that.
$36000 is easily 5 years of income in India. These people are not refugees and don’t need asylum from anything. They just want to be richer and have more sumptuous lives at the expense of others. It’s sad that the rest of the world is not as prosperous, But stay home and help your own poor improve rather than bailing out.
"Christopher B said...
A clear indication that current conditions persist because the powerful don't want documented legal entrants who would be far more difficult to exploit and therefore less in need of political protection."
If you're talking about true legal immigration with the intent of becoming naturalized citizens, you're completely correct. However, if you're talking about legal H1b type people brought in to work for a company, they are often exploited quite a bit. Management can threaten to fire them, requiring them to return home or be out of compliance with their visa. They generally are paid less than Americans for the same work and end up putting in a lot more hours due to fear.
30,000 per acre in India? Must be very fertile farmland.
He's not poor there if he can raise that money and is a landowner. Any mention of other land he owns?
How could even a gas lighting professor of law embrace lawbreaking that makes a mockery of law itself?
planetgeo said...Are American born citizens really this clueless?
Yesterday I was talking with a friend who is a liberal and a Democrat. He's a very smart and well-educated guy.
I asked him if he would support or oppose the US taking in a million Palestinians from Gaza.
He thought for a moment and said, "Well, I'm not anti-immigrant so yes, I would support that."
That seems to be the way a lot of liberals think about this issue and I think most issues. It's a very simplistic way of thinking. It's very much about how they want to see themselves. They don't dwell on the details.
You'd have a hard time convincing me that legal immigration is too difficult. I know it is supposed to be difficult to get here and go down the path of citizenship. But Iin south Forsyth County, Ga, where I live part time, we have entire neighborhoods of Indian immigrants. My own neighborhood of approximately 900 homes, with houses in the $700K-1.0M range, is about 75% legal immigrants, most of whom are Indian, with a smattering of other ethnicities from all over the world. Most of these people are doctors, dentists, engineers, IT specialists, small business owners, etc. Their children dominate the schools here. We have extensive Indian food and retail, including an entire new shopping center anchored by a Patel Bros. store and restaurants, clothing, and jewelry. Currently about all the new houses in this price range - and there are hundreds planned and under construction - are being bought by Indians. A recently completed Toll Bros. development with about 200 homes is 99% Indian.
“We” haven’t allowed anything.
To even use the term “turned a blind eye” would be an insufficient description.
There is in fact an actual hole in the fence at the southern border that everyone in the world knows about except the president.
Why does no one tell him? Border agents watch them walk through and after they’ve gone a significant distance take them into custody and then release them.
What makes this doubly troubling to me is that I personally know Indians living and working legally in this country
Who are involved in a continual visa process to enable their continued ability to legally stay.
On is a woman in her 60’s who teaches college calculus.
What’s happening at the southern border is beyond ridiculous.
I don't know why people aren't talking about this more, but about 5 million illegal aliens are going to be voting Democrat in November.
Like last time, the Dems have a plan. They have agents in illegal alien communities signing people up to vote by paper. I saw the NE form. The person just needs to sign a form that they are eligible to vote. Ha! That's it. No notary and not under penalty of perjury; as if that mattered.
I see a couple of people have brought up H1B visas and referenced my comment.
I was not thinking of those when I made my earlier comment. However, I think the root cause of H1B and other legal work permit abuse is fundamentally the same. Abuse is encouraged by the current system that severely limits legal methods of immigration and migration, and makes it almost entirely family based rather than economic. Allowing larger numbers of workers to enter the country legally in ways that are not directly tied to an employer would reduce the opportunities for abuse.
Expedia finds several flights from Delhi to JFK for under $700, on Kuwaiti or Emirates. If this guy has a family size of less than eight people, that comes to under $6,000. Where is the other $30,000 going?
"Are American born citizens really this clueless?"
At present, enough are. Otherwise, we would do something else. Those capable of believing these things are hooked on the rush of self-fulfillment it provides. We can't see or feel it, but it has a hit like a dose of fentanyl for many. It will lead to the same end.
Donald Trump can thank Joe Biden for being on the ballot. The Court’s opinion cites 18 U.S.C §2383. Rebellion or insurrection:
“Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.”
Although the Court does not quite say so explicitly, that seems to be the only mechanism for enforcement of section 3 of the 14th amendment currently on the books. That statute envisions a criminal prosecution for rebellion or insurrection, which the Biden administration through special counsel Jack Smith has declined to bring.
There are, of course, social, economic, and fiscal consequences to uncontrolled and illegal immigration into our country.
But there is also a very important political consequence:
It is seldom mentioned here that it's only 6 years until the 2030 census. Recall, if you will, that Art. I, Sec. 2, of the Constitution requires enumeration of every "Person" resident in the U.S. (with specified exceptions), and that apportionment of Congressional representatives follows from that counting of "Persons."
...think about the possible ramifications of that requirement on our future national political balances and policy choices.
I would be happy to have more Indian immigrants. I would prefer fewer Haitians.
"It's a terrible shame that we've allowed the process of immigration to become so degraded that people this enthusiastic about our beautiful country can't pursue a legal option."
Demographics demand we accept many more immigrants. Screened for needed skills. Screened for criminal/terrorist backgrounds. Screened for serious illness.
So, yes, we should substantially improve the legal path to citizenship.
Anyone, ANYONE, think that's the meaning of comprehensive immigration reform as mouthed by the left?
But Dave that can't be true! We are told unequivically that there is no vote fraud. I'm sure if Merric Garland knew about this outrage he'd put a stop to it right away!
I don't doubt there's abuse, but the H1Bs I know of get comparable pay to citizens, and their employer helps them renew the H1B and eventually get a green card. I'm all for legal immigration, so long as they know they can't become wards of the state, and application for public assistance means deportation. Illegal immigration should be zero. As Milton Friedman once said, you can't have open borders and a welfare state.
Our host says "It's a terrible shame that we've allowed the process of immigration to become so degraded that people this enthusiastic about our beautiful country can't pursue a legal option."
I don't care about "enthusiasm." I was reading last night about the problems of sexual assault and rape of foreign visitors to India. (The complaints were not very different from what I heard and read in the papers when I have visited India in past years and are by no means limited to foreign travelers.) It caused me to reflect on the foreignness of Indian culture. At work we have training now on preventing caste bias. The question arises of the extent that I need to track coworkers' caste origins and how that can be integrated into my sense of American life. The purported enthusiasm of immigrants does not mean that they will shed their cultural heritage. They will adapt it and Americans will become, in some ways, more Indian. They will bring more than Biryani rice and Bhangra music to America. The transition from limited to mass migration brings changes that will last essentially forever. India from my experience is simultaneously the greatest and most horrifying place you could ever visit with fine and terrible people, beauty and ugliness of a scale that is hard to imagine. Do not be sentimental about the choices we are making.
"It's a terrible shame that we've allowed the process of immigration to become so degraded that people this enthusiastic about our beautiful country can't pursue a legal option."
Althouse, just exactly -- I mean, EXACTLY -- how many more impoverished Third Worlders do you want to house in your spare bedroom? Or were you planning to put them up in MY spare bedroom? You seem like an intelligent person, and I gather that at some point, you studied law. Why do you suppose we have this concept of "property"? Do you think it is just a curious custom, developed by our benighted ancestors, and no longer relevant in today's sophisticated environment?
My citizenship is a thing of considerable value, that I inherited from my parents. If I could sell it, I expect I could get a great deal of money for it. But you want to give it away, because you have fee-wies. I would be all in favor of a plan, where US citizens with fee-wies could give or sell their American citizenship to someone who wants or deserves it more, in their estimation, than they do. But then they have to get out, see? You sell it, you give it away, whatever. You don't have it any more, so you aren't one of us, so get the Hell out!
Maybe it was a very thin cake.
An acre of land in India for $30k?
Was it a diamond mine?
***
"It's been a while since I've been solemnly assured that "migrants" are mostly people fleeing oppressive regimes that are about to kick in their doors and arrest them."
There have probably been about 100 actual asylum seekers the last few years.
Everybody's here for the cash, not that I blame them.
But shouldn't we get to choose who is here?
California needs only so many lawn guys...
It's not that no legal option exists, it's that the illegal option is easier. We ought to make the illegal option harder and the legal option easier.
"It's a terrible shame that we've allowed the process of immigration to become so degraded that people this enthusiastic about our beautiful country can't pursue a legal option."
If we hadn't gotten to the point where we were letting millions of people cross illegally into the United States each year, we could have been able to expand legal immigration.
Mountain Man is correct.
I live in the same Georgia county. In a matter of a few years, it went from less than 2% SE Asian Indian to 20%.
These folks "live red but vote blue." And that is precisely why Georgia is going Democrat.
I quite like many of my SE Asian Indian acquaintances, doctors, and an adorable couple who started a farm near me and discovered that the common language between Georgia and India is okra. But when the extremely wealthy top .001% of India descends an masse and so quickly on a recently very rural community, the rural community is driven out of its land, and other tensions arise. And when these youths are ironically educated in public schools that their white peers (many raised in single-wides) are "the oppressors" and they are "minority victims" of "colonialism," it becomes ugly fast.
Of course our elected officials will do nothing constructive about these tensions. They're drunk with money and disinterested in doing anything that draws attention to social issues. Plus we have the zip code with the highest rate of illegal immigrants in the US in the county next door, with burgeoning poverty and gangs.
Powder keg? You betcha.
Now do Tibet, no longer a prop? of Western advocacy, which underwent immigration reform from China.
The current system is not malfunctioning. It's working as intended.
I once asked my oldest son, who has spent a few years in Brasil, what the Brasilians think of America.
"They hate America, and they all want to go there," he said.
"They hate America, and they all want to go there," he said.
They'll make fine Democrats.
Sheldon Cooper's Fun With Flags answers the question, "what's the only non rectangular flag?"
“this enthusiastic about our beautiful country “
We don’t have health care and we don’t look after our poor and we are always at war. By god it’s beautiful if you’re a well-off retiree
"The migrants pass along a chain of countries chosen because of easy visa requirements, according to interviews with more than a dozen families and their agents in three states in western India. In each place, agents provide the migrants with their next plane ticket as they move closer and closer to Latin America or Canada. From there, depending on how much they pay, they walk or are transported to the U.S. border. If asked questions, they are told to say they don’t feel safe in India.
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Funny how few articles focus on those patiently pursuing the legal route.
Trump would do well to focus on that as well, instead of just the bad people narrative.
Anyone who feels for the legal route folk can step up and sponsor a few.
"We don’t have health care and we don’t look after our poor and we are always at war."
And yet, people from all over the world are leaving their homes and trying to get here. It's a mystery.
priorities
Democrats prefer people who cheat
Elon Musk just tweeted about this: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13155765/biden-illegal-migrant-flying-program-national-security-vulnerability.html
Secret program whereby hundreds of thousands of "migrants" are being directly flown to secret airport locations and released. Biden administration ADMITS that these people are not legally permitted to be here. Apparently this is being done under some kind of "parole" provision intended for a small number of hard cases but now being abused by the Dems. FOIA requests for details about the program are being ignored by the government.
In relevant (and perennial) news, Haiti is on fire with criminal gangs in control of anything they want to be in control of, and a coup is in progress. The Haitian people seem to have no hope of ever achieving a safe, stable society. This is the kind of situation where humanitarian concerns will prompt efforts to bring more Haitians here. Not to mention the possibility of blowing up into another war.
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