Friday, May 15, 2015

Should the U.S. Oppose Immigration? A Debate

Protestors call for President Obama to push immigration reform, outside the White House in Washington, DC, July 24, 2013. Tomas Martinez/Associated Press

The U.S. was built on the hard work of its immigrants. The vast majority of Americans are descendants of immigrants.

The U.S. is home to an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. The economic, social, and political aspects of immigration have caused controversy regarding ethnicity, economic benefits, jobs for non-immigrants, settlement patterns, impact on upward social mobility, crime, and voting behavior. Illegal immigration to the United States is the act by foreign nationals violating United States immigration laws by either entering the country without government permission or once lawfully entering, remaining within the country beyond the termination date of a temporary visa.

Deported migrants climb a fence at the U.S.- Mexico border as they prepare for the 6th annual Marcha Migrante, or Migrant March in Tijuana, a pilgrimage is organized to raise awareness on immigration issues. (AP)

According to a Pew Hispanic Center report, in 2012, 52% of illegal immigrants were from Mexico; 26% were from other Latin American countries, primarily from Central America; 12% were from Asia; 5% were from Europe and Canada; and 3% were from Africa and the rest of the world. Do immigrants take American jobs or does immigration help the economy or both?


Against immigration is Kris Kobach, Secretary of State for Kansas and Tom Tancredo, former Congressman for Colorado. For immigration is Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio and Tamar Jacoby, President and CEO of ImmigrationWorks USA.
Source: intelligence2: Don't Give Us Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses

Zak visiting his father on Rikers Island in 1991. Photo courtesy of Zak Ebrahim

How Did The Son Of A Terrorist Choose Peace?

Zak Ebrahim is the son of El-Sayyid Nosair. El-Sayyid Nosair is an Egyptian-born American citizen, convicted of involvement in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Nosair was also tried for, but acquitted of, the assassination of Rabbi Meir Kahane a Jewish religious figure and right-wing Israeli politician on November 5, 1990. Nosair was convicted of assault and possession of an illegal firearm. Zak tells us that he was raised to hate and but rejected that path.

After his father's incarceration, Ebrahim's family moved over 20 times, haunted by and persecuted for his father's crimes. The older Zak got, the more he grasped the horror of his father's acts. The more he understood, the more he resolved to dedicate his life to promoting peace. This part is narrated by Guy Raz.
Source: TED Radio Hour: How Did The Son Of A Terrorist Choose Peace?


Download or Play Immigration Debate Part 1
Download or Play Immigration Debate Part 2
Download or Play Immigration Debate Part 3
Download or Play Son Of A Terrorist



Music includes Lenard Cohen - Everybody Knows, David Rovics - Here At The End Of The World, Ariel - A War President Song, Capitol Steps - Bill Clinton Sings 16 Times, David Rovics - I Wanna Go Home, Capitol Steps - Rick Perry is a Bush Clone, Weird Al Yankovic - Christmas At Ground Zero, Capitol Steps - Help Rwanda, David Rovics - The Face Of Victory, Bunny Sigler - Climate Change, Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - Winter In America, Jim Page - When Johnny Comes Marching Home, The Bergerfolk - Masters of War, Randy Newman - It's A Jungle Out There, Poncho Sanchez - Ican

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