I am a middle class caucasian professional who would barely make the cut if I were emigrating to Canada at this time — so, by Trump’s merit system, would probably get into the US by a hair if I wasn’t already here (because I am old and don’t have hundreds of thousands to invest in a business.) But I started looking at my family and thinking about how this merit based immigration would play out.
First, my grandparents. They followed other family members here (chain migration) from Ireland. And they came here because of the religious wars raging in Belfast at that time (their business was burnt to the ground). So — refugees of a sort. Their children and grand children and now great grand children became doctors, teachers, corporate executives, small business owners, philanthropists, engineers, and human resource professionals among others. Not to brag — but the nation would have lost out if Trump had his way and had told my grandparents NO because they were fleeing religious fights and were “chain” immigrants.
Then there are my children and their spouses. My hispanic heritage son-in-law amazes me with his capacity to channel and manage young people in community college who are learning how to do maintenance on luxury cars (among others). My African-American son in law not only has worked his way up to a managerial position in a middle size business but runs a family owned really good burger joint on the side. The rest of the family also runs that business.
Then there is my brother. He is a person with Down Syndrome and one of the most lucky people I know because he is living in a foster home with the care of two registered nurses who came from Africa and who care for many aged and disabled people with joy, love, and engagement.
What if we had a time machine and could go back and revoke the citizenship of all of these people. That would make Mr. Miller, Trump, Cotton, etc. very happy.
But, who would care for their parents or spouses or themselves as they aged, who would repair their cars, or serve their meals, or attend to their health, or teach their kids, or do all of the other things that people do everyday without fanfare or acknowledgement?
i guess that all that will be left are those making the rules —
- Jared, I’d like onions on that burger.
- Ivanka, my brother is confused today, please keep an extra good eye on him
- Donald, Jr, sorry we had to put 35 students in your kindergarten this year — good luck teaching them.
- Stephen Miller, I need someone to engineer a new heart stent. Get on it STAT.
- Senator Cotton, the timing seems to be off on my car — please repair it quickly.
- Mr Trump, oh darn — I can’t think of anything I would trust you to do or anyone I would put in your care. Why don’t you just go and clean up the golf course.