2008 Woodie Awards
Immigration issues debated in roundtable discussion
By: Mallory Skinner
Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: News
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A roundtable discussion concerning the impact of immigration reform in the United States was held Sept. 19 in the Emerson Library Conference Room.
The discussion was led by four panelists, former U.S. State Department employee Nick Strothmann and Webster professors Tahmineh Entessar, Deborah Stiles and Dan Hellinger. Organized by the Multicultural Center and International Student Affairs, the discussion was designed to reflect on the history of U.S. immigration policy while exploring contemporary immigration issues.
Hellinger began the discussion by talking about Mexico's depressed economy, a driving factor in the influx of immigrants to the United States. He observed that, in recent years, the North American Free Trade Agreement has done little to improve the standard of living in Mexico, pointing out disparities in the average wage rations between the United States and Mexico.
"One hundred million Mexicans have grown up with the promise that NAFTA will generate jobs," Hellinger said. "Yet the number of jobs in Mexico is shrinking, with 200,000 jobs lost in 2004."
Hellinger said that, while NAFTA promotes cross-border movement of goods and services, it simultaneously stifles the movement of labor. Entessar questioned how the United States could justify such a contradiction.
"The purpose of NAFTA is to integrate the trade process," Entessar said. "It is ridiculous to believe that the United States can integrate and somehow remain separate."
Hellinger said Mexico's troubled economy is the current catalyst for immigration, but in the future, political unrest, due to economic strain, may also be a factor.
Strothmann continued the discussion, noting immigration reform will be a divisive issue in November's election. He said people who benefit from Mexican labor will be inclined to support immigration reform and may be in favor of granting immigrants amnesty. Hellinger added that, because immigration is more prevalent in the West, midwesterners cannot fully appreciate its impact on the economy. Entessar said the federal government has a responsibility to channel resources into counties where hospitals and schools are financially overwhelmed by immigrants.
The discussion was led by four panelists, former U.S. State Department employee Nick Strothmann and Webster professors Tahmineh Entessar, Deborah Stiles and Dan Hellinger. Organized by the Multicultural Center and International Student Affairs, the discussion was designed to reflect on the history of U.S. immigration policy while exploring contemporary immigration issues.
Hellinger began the discussion by talking about Mexico's depressed economy, a driving factor in the influx of immigrants to the United States. He observed that, in recent years, the North American Free Trade Agreement has done little to improve the standard of living in Mexico, pointing out disparities in the average wage rations between the United States and Mexico.
"One hundred million Mexicans have grown up with the promise that NAFTA will generate jobs," Hellinger said. "Yet the number of jobs in Mexico is shrinking, with 200,000 jobs lost in 2004."
Hellinger said that, while NAFTA promotes cross-border movement of goods and services, it simultaneously stifles the movement of labor. Entessar questioned how the United States could justify such a contradiction.
"The purpose of NAFTA is to integrate the trade process," Entessar said. "It is ridiculous to believe that the United States can integrate and somehow remain separate."
Hellinger said Mexico's troubled economy is the current catalyst for immigration, but in the future, political unrest, due to economic strain, may also be a factor.
Strothmann continued the discussion, noting immigration reform will be a divisive issue in November's election. He said people who benefit from Mexican labor will be inclined to support immigration reform and may be in favor of granting immigrants amnesty. Hellinger added that, because immigration is more prevalent in the West, midwesterners cannot fully appreciate its impact on the economy. Entessar said the federal government has a responsibility to channel resources into counties where hospitals and schools are financially overwhelmed by immigrants.
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