In this episode, May Ee Wong challenges us to imagine borders and immigration differently in order to change how we treat people all over the world. The host discusses her personal experience as an immigrant and the idea of ranking immigrants based on their abilities.
The US has become a nation of weirdos thanks to the influx of immigrants and outsiders, who are often willing to leave behind everything and embrace new ways of thinking. This mindset fuels creativity and innovation, as those who are different aren't restricted by the norms and conventions of society.
The speaker took a racist test and discusses the legitimacy of stricter immigration restrictions on non-white countries compared to white countries.
Migrants crossing the border are still being deported, but many are still coming. The fastest-growing group of migrants are from Venezuela, and officials from Texas are offering them free bus rides to Washington, D.C.
Matt Yglesias explains that one reason why the United States has a hard tilt against immigration is because it has been part of its mission to be a major country. However, instead of finding a better system for selecting people in a responsible way, the US has been shutting down the flow of people trying to terrorize the millions of people who were just living there not doing anyone any harm.
Human traffickers are taking advantage of the reinforced land border to transport people across the Mediterranean Sea, which is more dangerous and costly. The danger lies not with the fence but with the political migration policy that gives rise to human trafficking and organized crime.
The strict rules and laws in America provide protection for individual's property and give them the potential to create something interesting or unique, but many immigrants don't take advantage of this opportunity.
The process of obtaining legal residency in a foreign country can be challenging and requires jumping through many hoops. This can often complicate plans for living in another country.
Immigration plays a vital role in enabling competition and progress while balancing employment and underemployment. However, there is a need to assess how much low-skill immigration can be assimilated and absorbed to avoid a social and economic impact on individuals.
The speaker explains that he finds it easier to connect with immigrants than non-immigrant whites because there appears to be a "coldness" with the latter group, which makes it difficult for him to date someone whose family has been in America for generations.
The open border results in fentanyl coming across the border and making its way into Pennsylvania in just a few days, having a negative effect on the state. However, we cannot ignore the fact that the US needs a legal immigration process that works.
Heidi shares her experience of moving from Germany to Provo, Utah with her first husband in 1958, and dealing with creepy phone calls while working in a bar.
The speaker describes the positive effects of economic and societal integration between nations on attitudes toward other cultures. Additionally, the problematic argumentative nature of criticizing other cultures for not assimilating quickly enough or for treating their minorities too harshly is criticized.
The speaker criticizes the fear-mongering around unaccompanied minors, particularly those who are of gang age, arguing that the issue is much more complicated than such scare tactics would suggest.
In the 19th century, immigrants in the North were treated poorly, working in terrible conditions and not allowed to be educated, leading to illness and death. These issues were hotly debated at the time, similar to debates we still face today.
The Coast Guard has seized 11 undocumented men after their boat sank and they were found on a separate boat. It is unclear at this time what caused the sinking and who owned the vessel that went down.
