A couple of articles in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on immigration earlier this week started me thinking about how we move forward as a community. The divides are huge and the debate is heated.  I see two main arguments at the center of this extremely complex debate. From a diversity and inclusion perspective, I see the argument that we are a nation of immigrants and should welcome all newcomers (legal or not) as neighbors and provide them with avenues they can use to succeed and be productive members of society. After all, as the Post-Dispatch article Concern Here Muted but Rising noted, “A more diverse work force is a more dynamic, creative and energetic population.” On the other hand, is the belief that we have laws for a reason and must respect them. Many immigrants do respect American immigration laws and arrive in our nation through due legal process. Some people feel that because of this legal process, there is no need to be lenient toward newcomers who choose to break our laws and come here illegally. 

I, personally, don’t know which argument I feel is more valid.

Here are a few notes from my experience to put out for discussion:

Immigrants are part of what is keeping the Midwest viable. According to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, many native born Midwesterners are leaving home for bigger cities like Chicago and New York. That’s great for the cities, not great for the rest of our region. Immigrants (legal and illegal) are moving in and doing jobs that employers have had trouble convincing many Americans to even do. See more of the Council’s work on a global Midwest here.

Some legal immigrants think cracking down on illegal immigration is a good thing. When my wife and I lived in Palm Springs, California (just about three hours from the Mexican border) several of our friends were legal, documented immigrants. Their stance was that there is a legal and proper way to enter this country and those that don’t are giving all immigrants a bad reputation. They also worried that illegal immigrants were taking some of the jobs that legal immigrants otherwise would be qualified for as illegals would often work for much less money. 

We spend billions of dollars every year enforcing illegal immigration statutes all over the country. I agree that enforcing the law is important, but I always feel the need to look a little closer and ask, “If we spent this money another way, could it be more effective?”

What do you think? This is just the tip of the iceberg but it’s an important topic and extremely relevant to the St. Louis region right now.