The Schizophrenia of Immigration

The Schizophrenia of Immigration

Having practiced in the immigration field for the relatively long period of twenty seven years, first as an attorney with the government, then as an immigration judge for eighteen years, and now as a private attorney, I have often been asked by various people why it is that our country just never seems to be able to get it right on immigration matters.

To me, the answer has always been simple, our country and our government suffer from Schizophrenia on the issue of immigration.

In general use, Schizophrenia is a mentality or approach characterized by inconsistent or contradictory elements. In relation to the issue of immigration, this condition manifests itself in us, as individuals, as a country, and as a government, when we, on the one hand, consider the issue as an abstract matter, as in, "immigration is out of control and we need to get a handle on it, we need to get rid of all these people who are coming here to obtain benefits, take our jobs and commit crimes," but then recoil in horror when immigration agents show up at our neighbor's door to pick her up for immigration violations, or our gardener or others who we personally know and appreciate personally.

And so, rather than dealing with the subject rationally and effectively, our government runs around in circles, politicians make grandiose speeches an proclamations, and we keep changing the laws every couple of years when, in fact, the problem has never been the law but, rather, the implementation of the law.

It is understandable for individuals to be of two minds, Schizophrenic, on an issue, but not our government or politicians. We pay them to make the laws and see that they are fairly enforced. It's time that they start doing that instead of grandstanding on the issue and playing with people's lives.

Categories:

Contact Us Today!

All Consultations are Free and Confidential
    • Please enter your first name.
    • Please enter your last name.
    • Please enter your email address.
      This isn't a valid email address.
    • This isn't a valid phone number.
    • Please make a selection.
    • Please enter a message.