Thread: ME Letter:U.S. Should Limit 'All Legal, Illegal Immigration'

U.S. should limit 'all legal, illegal immigration'

from the Morning Sentinel
03/18/09

The Census Bureau projects that the United States population will reach a staggering 439 million by 2050. More than 130 million people, primarily driven by immigration, will be added in a scant 40 years. Before this ecological time bomb is released, we must take immigration reduction very seriously.

I understand this is a controversial topic. Unfortunately, extremists often have taken over discussion and their sound bites have taken precedence, while the vital issues are ignored. Frankly, no one wants to discuss it. But as a proud Mainer who was raised in environmental stewardship, I am bringing up the issue.

It is time that the United States limits all legal and illegal immigration. If the Census Bureau is correct, then by 2050, 130 million new residents (adults and children) will have to be accommodated. Enough land, pristine open space and healthy farmland, will be bulldozed, paved and developed for 52 million new home units. An estimated 36,000 new school facilities must be built to educate the new pupils. Many more Wal-Marts and big box chain stores will be constructed near these subdivisions. We'll see millions more miles of paved roads. Basically, all previous environmental achievements will be made feckless and pointless.

If we don't act, Maine and the United States will face ecosystem degradation of immense proportions. Whether Republican, Democrat, Green or Independent, we can work together for a greener future. First, though, we need to agree on one simple truth -- there is a limit to growth.

Benjamin R. Holmes

Portland

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/v ... 75043.html

Kennebec Journal Morning Sentinel

The World cannot feed and water 10,000,000,000 people

If we don't act, Maine and the United States will face ecosystem degradation of immense proportions. Whether Republican, Democrat, Green or Independent, we can work together for a greener future. First, though, we need to agree on one simple truth -- there is a limit to growth.

The World cannot feed and water 10,000,000,000 people

After the huge influx of immigrants in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, the US did exactly what Mr. Holmes advocates in the first quote above. This made it possible for the nation to assimilate the millions of immigrants who came here. I agree this is what the US should do. Moreover, for any immigrants who do come here, we should have mandatory screening for health issues, criminal behavior, and means of support (job skills, education, etc.).

As to the second quote, Malthusian predictions in the nineteenth century predicted collapse of the world due to worldwide famine and starvation by the start of the 20th century. Didn't happen of course because long range projections like this assume the current trends will continue with regard to birth rates, war, migration, and technological developments. Those assumptions are almost always wrong.

Likewise, long range projections for population changes in the US are also probably wrong. If, for instance, Mr. Holmes's suggestion were followed it would alter the long term trends. If the birth rate for Hispanics decreases significantly (and some data shows that may already be starting), then that also will affect the long term projections. If by some miracle, stability and prosperity ever comes to Central and South America, they are the ones who will be having a population explosion. If the current economic trends continue long enough in the US, fewer people will want to come here. If the current political trends in the US continue unabated, not only will fewer people want to come here, but fewer of us will want to stay.

And if this nation collapses, or allows itself to continue to be weakened by politicians such as the current administration and Congress, it will only be a matter of time before there is a nuclear war someplace on the planet with nut-jobs such as those running N. Korea, Iran, Pakistan, India, et al. Until now the strength of the US and NATO have helped discourage nuclear proliferation, but Russia and China have already demonstrated they will not, and if we don't, who will? If nuclear war happens, over-population will not likely be a problem unless there are too many survivors for the amount of radiation-free land that remains.

Moreover, for any immigrants who do come here, we should have mandatory screening for health issues, criminal behavior, and means of support (job skills, education, etc.).

This already happens for employment based immigrants. In the case of family based immigrants they also have health checks and criminal background checks and with regard to job skills they are not checked but their sponsor has to sign an affidavit that they will not be a charge on the USA for a certain number of years.