by Ted Sherman

Created on: June 12, 2007

No one can come up with a simple answer to that question. There are just too many variables. While not many politicians say it outright, virtually the entire reason for the argument is centered on Mexicans coming across the US border in secret. Now, the US must deal with as many as 15 million illegals, including hundreds of thousands of long-term residents and their families who are spread across the country.

Are they dangerous? Are they taking jobs away from legal citizens? Do they all smuggle drugs? Are their youth gangs destroying our cities? Why won't they assimilate? Are they overwhelming our healthcare and education facilities? Is it true that more than half of the prison population are illegals?

Is all this being discussed in the media today? Yes, but if you look back to city newspapers of the 19th and early 20th Centuries, you'll find very similar concerns and opinions. In 1750: Why are they importing all those black slaves from Africa? Those guest workers don't even get paid for all their labors. Honest white men won't be able to find any decent work.

In 1850: those drunken Irish immigrant gangs are taking over New York and Boston. In 1890: Those Italians and Sicilians come right off the boat and become guest workers for low wages, and they're taking jobs away from American citizens. In 1900: Those damned Russian Jews come here, push their pushcarts and keep their old ways and language. They don't want to assimilate.

Let's go back to when it all started. In 1620, as far as Native Americans of that time were concerned, all immigrants were illegals. Don't you wonder what prejudiced and racist remarks they said when they first saw those English guest workers in the funny black hats come ashore at Plymouth Rock?

Of course, a logical and legally-controlled guest worker program, and citizenship for long-time residents, have to be the solutions to the immigration problem. Considering that most of the so-called guest workers are already here, getting the answer will be a long and difficult process.

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