The Nigerian Village Square - Immigration: Matters Arising (Part 2)

Immigration: Matters Arising (Part 2)

Tuesday, 18 January 2005

See also Immigration: Matters Arising Part 1In this part i will discuss how politics and events in the places that immigrants go to affect the immigrants themselves,the places they go to and where they leave from.

Prior to the 1960's voluntary emigration to the U.S was neither a wise nor a useful decision for Africans.However by the end of the 60's through the efforts of the civil rights movement and collapse of Jim Crowe laws there was to a large extent the cessation of overt segregation and racism. This was largely through the efforts of African Americans and notable leaders include Martin Luther King junior, Malcolm X, Thurgood Marshall, Medgar Evers and others.At that point it was indeed possible to finish your education in the United States and stay to work.However because this period also was when Nigeria was newly independent and there was overwhelming optimism about the opportunities and progress independence would bring, there was really not much emigration until the late 80's and 90's.

Now let us look at Mexico and Hispanic immigration.They are indeed the largest minority group in the U.S having slightly overtaken the 31 Million strong African Americans in the last census.They are presently all over the U.S but are more in states such as Florida,Texas,California and Arizona.This pattern of immigration would certainly continue because generally in Latin America one can not really mention a Country in the ascendancy economically,also the relative proximity to the United States.Another factor is they are willing to take a lot of jobs that natives may sometimes shun.There have however been some bad reactions politically such as the various propositions to limit Health care to illegal Immigrants also the present debate about not proving driving licenses to illegal immigrants. These are very contentious points of debate,however like any sensible politician knows the Hispanics though not homogenous in terms of race and Country of origin is certainly on the rise politically and economically and could swing elections one way or the other.That is why the Hispanic vote is hotly contested as seen in the last 2 Presidential elections.

In Europe there have been various leaders emerging in some cases with a reflex anti-immigrant stance with xenophobia and Nationalism thrown into the mix.These include the lade Pym Fortyn of the Netherlands with his self named Pym Fortyn list who was assassinated after making a lot of waves and political capital just before the last election in the Netherlands about 2 years ago.Others include Jorge Haider of Austria and Jean Marie Le Pen of France who has actually been in politics for about 30 years.Also the One Australia party and the British Nationalist party could also be included in this group.The common thread they all have is that unique ability and talent to tap into the apprehensions of the Native population against newcomers.They raise issues such as they are taking your jobs and do not assimilate etc.. However most Western European Governments take them seriously and are in some cases subtly implementing various measures to reduce these sentiments and thus prevent race riots as have occurred in Northern England about 2 years ago.Another issue fueling immigration is a demographic dilemma. Statistically the amount of births necessary to mentain a population at its present level is 2 births per woman.In some Countries the birth rate is less than 1 such as Italy and Japan hence population growth is negative.In Countries of Africa and Asia the population growth is rising because birth rate is in some cases 4 to 6 per woman. Also to provide finances for retirement you need in some cases 4 to 6 working people to support 1 retired person. With negative population growth there are various options you could either import more people via immigration, increase local reproduction by various social welfare programs such as more maternity leave which is fully paid and state supported day care and the like.Other options include raising the retirement age or changing pension plans. All of these are contentious.

Dr Olumide Ogunremi is an attending physician in internal medicine in St Louis, MO and the host of The Village Doctor Forum

Robot Robot is offline
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	# 1 See also Immigration: Matters Arising Part 1In this p...Read the full article. Posted by Robot\| 27.04.2008 19:30

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