As the number of unaccompanied minors entering the US surges, the government has struggled to find adequate facilities to house them in, with Customs and Border Protection's facilities not being equipped for children. This leaves non-governmental organizations to step in to provide support to these children, incurring significant costs in the process.
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.
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.
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 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.
The speaker explains the three categories of immigrants: economic contributors, social justice seekers and refugees, and those who are not in a position to wait in line.
The speaker discusses how the United States has historically been seen as a place of opportunity for immigrants to build and scale innovative technology, but also acknowledges the challenges of disruptive technologies such as cyber attacks and artificial intelligence. Additionally, he highlights the success of Indian and Iranian immigrants, while noting that intergenerational mobility has remained relatively stable for native-born Americans.
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.
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.
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.
Two podcast hosts discuss the influence of their immigrant parents on their lives and how it connects them to others with similar experiences.
Comedian Joe Rogan discusses the idea of having an immigrant police force in Kenya, specifically from Dagestan, stating that "immigrants get it done". He also mentions a recent incident where a Somali cop killed someone and suggests that the police force needs improvement.
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.
The speaker discusses misconceptions about immigrating to the United States and the excitement of traveling to a new destination.
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.