In this podcast, the speaker discusses the challenges of adjusting to life in a new country, including the experiences of living in an exotic, foreign land and adapting to a new culture. The speaker reflects on the difficulties of learning to navigate unfamiliar surroundings and the emotional impact of being separated from loved ones.
The speaker describes a speech he made in which he likened immigration to aliens like Superman taking jobs from hardworking people like Batman. He imagines that his team was moved to physically support him during the speech in a moment of emotional intensity reminiscent of a college debate class.
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.
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 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.
Countries like Sweden and Finland have specified the number of folks they can accept who are uneducated or don't speak the language for their compassion-based immigration program. Admitting immigrants based on skills the country actually needs is more important than bringing in people who are net dependents on the government.
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.
The speaker discusses the various methods and costs of crossing the border illegally, as well as the presence of indentured slavery in the US.
Mary Gay Scanlon, a Democratic representative from Pennsylvania, speaks out against false claims suggesting that migrant families seeking asylum are the source of the fentanyl epidemic. She cites data showing that there is only a small percentage of fentanyl seized by Border Patrol agents and virtually none seized from migrants seeking asylum.
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.
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.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio's strong stance on illegal immigration has brought criticism from liberals, but his supporters stand by his views.
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.
