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What are your thoughts on worldwide immigration?

Let’s talk about immigration… specifically about those fleeing wars and other terrors, including famine and an economy so bad their children are starving.

Do you feel like a country (any country, but specifically yours) has a responsibility to take in, humanly care for, shelter, and rehome (keep them in your country) these immigrants?

Should there be a global standard or should each country be on its own to do as it wishes in regard to immigrants fleeing wars/terror and abject poverty/hunger?

[b]WARNING: Ugly/hateful negative comments will be deleted.[/b]

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AlchemyFox · 36-40, F

They can come to my house and I'll keep them safe and fed.

I know people have hateful thoughts about it. But c'mon, they're people, like all of us. I know what it's like to lose everything and people turn their back when you truly need them. I can't imagine going through what others do and having no where to turn. It's inhumane.

I know it's not that simple and there is no perfect solution, but barbed wire and hate are not the solution.

Why are humans so greedy when they have plenty?

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AlchemyFox · 36-40, F

@RenFur I'm glad I'm not alone in feeling this way. People often ignore/debate my thoughts on it, but in a nutshell it's simple respect for life.

AlchemyFox · 36-40, F

@Ontheroad We all share it 🖤

Ontheroad · M

@AlchemyFox I also knew you would respond this way... luv you sis.

RenFur · 70-79, M

[i]Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door! [/i]

That.

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Ontheroad · M

@RenFur I was going to post this as my thoughts, but I wanted to see if anyone else would.

RenFur · 70-79, M

@Ontheroad

It's a wonderful post.

sarabee1995 · 26-30, F

@Ontheroad @RenFur I was just going to post this as well.

One of my grandfathers (dad's dad) was born in Ireland. Became a citizen through his service in the Marine Corp during Viet Nam. While in, he meet my grandmother, a Navy nurse and immigrant from England. On the other side, mom's mom was Born in Nuremberg, Germany. So I have deep immigrant roots.

CrazyMusicLover · 31-35

Sigh, if only it was that easy. Fleeing war or places with high risk of natural disasters seems logical and reasonable to me but I openly say that I hate how far economic migration got. Huge amounts of people leave places with gorgeus nature and push themselves into big cities where the infrastructure is failing, rent is enormous and pollution increases. I know that it's often bacause of politics and the feelings of helplessness in places where everything seems backwards and insufficient but it can't go on like that forever. If only there was a way to improve the quality of life in more places so that the wealth could be distributed geographically more evenly.

Ontheroad · M

@CrazyMusicLover Yes, there has to be a plan, just not williy-nilly movement, but if we really cared, it wouldn't be all that difficult.

thinkingoutloud · F

I wonder whose responsibility it is to take care of all the people displaced by no fault of their own besides being born in a war torn place. It is alarming how many people are displaced regularly.
Maybe countries do not have a legal responsibility to take care of these people, but what about human responsibility? Where is that? Why can't organisations set up for decades geared towards humanitarian services not come together, to come up with a solution? Why can't religious organisations do the same? A lot of them have access to ridiculous amounts of funds. I don't understand why little is being done about it.

Ontheroad · M

@thinkingoutloud Very well said, and I agree.

sarabee1995 · 26-30, F

What you're describing here are refugees, not just immigrants. And yes, I believe we and all modern, advanced, civilized countries have an obligation each year to take in refugees.

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

Yes, I believe every country and every individual with a surplus of goods necessary to sustain life has an ethical duty to shelter and care for the less fortunate. The UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees is a basic global standard.

It cannot be left to individual states to interpret . . international problems require an international response.

Ontheroad · M

@SunshineGirl [quote]It cannot be left to individual states to interpret . . international problems require an international response.[/quote]

I couldn't agree more... the trick is getting there.

HootyTheNightOwl

I just can't right now... I'm hurting...

Hurting because animals have an easier time of getting away from abuse than people.

Hurting because perfectly good food is thrown into trash cans, locked behind closed gates rather than being given to the homeless or people who don't have enough food to eat.

Hurting because a document is the sole reason why so many people are trapped in countries that are dangerous for them - even in "safe" countries.

Hurting because the very people who are supposed to keep people safe from abuse do not.

bookerdana · M

According to United States law those seeking asylum [i]must[/i] be allowed in,as it should be.
Honestly I don't see a global standard emerging

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Ontheroad · M

@SumKindaMunster I'm not so sure it's the vast majority, but let's say it is. That is on us, that is on Congress to remedy.

bookerdana · M

@SumKindaMunster The simple claim gets them IN while they are awaiting hearing BUT how does one prove they fled for their very lives...what documentation can you get for that

SumKindaMunster · 51-55, M

@bookerdana Exactly. As I said our generous offer of asylum is being exploited and weaponized against us. They can't but use the option to get in here and then they don't leave.

SumKindaMunster · 51-55, M

No, because such things will gamed and exploited much like how our generous country allows people to seek asylum here. Currently that is being exploited and many illegal migrants are staying in this country after falsely claiming the need for asylum.

If you want to help people you should do that. Feel free to donate your time, money and resources to whomever you wish to assist.

The rest of us are not obligated. It's always the Western countries that have to deal with this. Russia, China, India etc do not have this problem.

Ontheroad · M

@SumKindaMunster So, because the system doesn't function well, and because our immigration laws suck, are outdated and Congress can't get their act together, it's a no?

Yeah, no to that kind of thinking.

We (meaning those we typically call part of the Western world), can do it, do it right and fix the mess we are in, and alleviate so much suffering, death, and misery.

We can do it at home too, as can each country.

SumKindaMunster · 51-55, M

@Ontheroad It's no for a lot of reasons. It's no because we cannot realistically expect to accomplish your ideal. It's no because currently right now in every major US city, and many minor ones we have a population of homeless people, mentally ill people, and drug addicts, all over the streets. We can't take care of them and you want to bring in [i]more[/i]? How about we address those people first before we bring in everyone else?

Do you have any arguments that aren't moral, and shamed based? Any economic arguments, like how this will make us better as a country? Or pragmatic arguments that speak to how that helps us all? If you truly want to make a difference you have to think about how this is a win win for all and work on convincing [i]everyone,[/i] not just your social media circle.

bijouxbroussard · F

I say this as someone who has volunteered in shelters, with homeless. I used to get angry at right-wingers who claimed that we put others ahead of citizens who are struggling or homeless. After volunteering for the last 30 years and seeing even veterans in our kitchens, I feel that before we give anything to anyone else, we need to make sure that our citizens who are in need are fed and provided with housing. It kills me that in a city of [b]billionaires[/b], there are even folks with children, sleeping on the streets.

Ontheroad · M

@bijouxbroussard I don't disagree - I've seen it myself, volunteer in shelters and know the problems we face at home, but that too is solvable.

bijouxbroussard · F

@Ontheroad So why won’t we solve it ? What’s getting in our way ? 🥺

Ontheroad · M

@bijouxbroussard The will. Nothing but the will. Well, a bit of the milk of human kindness AND the will... we have everything else.

TexChik · F

Every nation is a sovereign entity. Its laws, customs, and language must be known and understood if that nation is to succeed. We do not need to import people from half a world away into our culture. They need to stay in their home region where customs and languages are similar and understood by all.

Thevy29 · 41-45, M

I feel my country could do a whole lot more.. But the government as been disgraceful with its actions so far. It would be good if every country pitched in. But I don't see that happening any time soon.

OogieBoogie · F

All countries need to start acting as a whole planet, supporting each other and the disaster ridden....thinking of not just the future but now and creating a fair life for everybody .

Now that I've gotten that stupid fantasy off my chest - we all know no one who could do anything cares - immigrants are no more a commodity than abortion or corn syrup .😓

AntisocialTroll · 56-60, F

I believe in the free movement of people regardless of circumstances.

We should all be doing more to help refugees.

Really · 80-89, M

Deleted by author

uncalled4 · 56-60, M

This is an emotionally charged topic. I'll say this. It would be nice to be able to help everyone, but we literally cannot--there's just not enough money and resources. Budgets are already being slashed by the state and local authorities, then everyone suffers.

Ontheroad · M

@uncalled4 I disagree, there is plenty of money and resources,.. all we need is the will and the desire.

uncalled4 · 56-60, M

@Ontheroad Agreed to disagree.

Ontheroad · M

@uncalled4 That's fair. My point is that we and other nations waste untold millions on friggin' coffee drinks, pork-bill projects, and on and on.

Starbucks alone sells something in the neighborhood of $35 billion worth of coffee drinks in a single year. Just the U.S. government alone estimates it makes $247 billion in estimated improper payments annually, averaging $20.5 billion of waste per month

There is money, and if done right, these immigrants become tax-producing citizens that enrich the fiber of our nations.

Nihiless

I have no problem with it - besides I believe the government's strategy is working slowly but surely. 😁

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