NYT: article on immigration in Britain

Mrs DRJ

I thought this was a really interesting article that highlights some of the issues with immigration.  Although this is focusing on Britain, the same issues could be applied to any country that provides humanitarian asylum and is addressing a public backlash towards immigrates and its immigration policy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/world/europe/21antonio.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

 

 

MrsBini10

I think this is a perfect example of how easy it is to say "stop immigration!" or "just deport them all!" and yet when you zoom in on one case, it's a lot harder to say that (I mean, they confiscated the dad's antidepressants? Wtf?) There are probably thousands of similar tales to be told by asylum seekers facing deportation, but when you think of them as one giant group, it's a lot easier to feel bitter and resentful.

I also find it interesting that the UK has such different sources of "undesirable" immigration from the US (asylum seekers versus people sneaking over from Mexico) but is facing a very similar public opinion backlash nonetheless.

ooolalalolo

What a difficult story to read. That poor guy must be so stressed and hurt by the whole process. 

I agree that it is easy to say 'deport a group' but far more difficult and nuanced when looking at individuals. It's not unlike the mentality that people are less likely to give to 'save a child in Somalia' and far more likely to do so for 'Child X, who is starving in Somalia.'