A Business Owner's Take On Immigration

Dear Reader,

Let me begin by saying this: I know that many immigrants are suffering under deplorable conditions in their country of origin. It’s horrific; it truly does break my heart. But that doesn’t change the fact that we have to think about our own economy. It’s an unfortunate and harsh reality: we can’t support every ethnic group on the planet.

We have to be realistic. Jobs here should be for American citizens. Those who were born here need to have priority. As a business-owner, I’m worried about the effects such huge numbers of immigrants might have on my industry. I know some businesses, for cost reasons, are forced to hire illegal immigrants; not all of us can afford to pay taxes on our employees. We have to capitalize on the opportunities we have. But doesn’t the fact that these immigrants are so eager to take such jobs hint somewhat at their low esteem for our laws? That worries me, too.

I’m grateful, however, that we’ve finally made some progress on restricting immigrants from entering our country. With the unemployment rate as high as it is, we simply can’t allow just anyone to cross our borders. I wish we could, but we can’t. Yes, I’ve heard the stories of fathers being separated from their families, and it is tragic — it is! But they chose to board those ships. And let me repeat: it’s not our job to suffer for their foolhardiness. The only way we can ever restore our economy is by limiting immigration. What other options do we have?

Most importantly, we must remember that a large portion of these immigrants are not Christians. They have their own religion, and it’s not the one this country was built on. If they keep coming, Christians could soon be the minority! What would America look like, I ask you, if we allowed these incoming Catholics to have influence? What if, heaven forbid, we were to have a Catholic president someday? An Irish-Catholic president?! I shudder at the thought. I mean, is that really the future you want for your children? Whether or not the Irish helped secure our Independence as steeply as they claim (which I doubt) is beside the point. If we want to get through the nineteenth century with any semblance of a sophisticated culture or economy, we must draw the line. We must stop the Irish immigration.

Come on, people. If you can’t grow potatoes, just grow something else. It shouldn’t be that complicated.

Signed,

A Thoughtful Business Owner, New York, 1852

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