Migration, Assimilation, and the Limits of Compassion
Observations from Madrid
As I pen this piece, I find myself perched on a balcony overlooking the Plaza Mayor in the heart of Madrid, Spain. Madrid is a vibrant city that, in my view, still embodies the essence of a thriving urban environment. This is my sixth visit to Spain, a country my wife introduced me to shortly after our marriage, given her previous stay here during her college years. This visit, however, feels different, primarily due to the stark contrast between the bustling, safe, and highly interactive city of Madrid and the deteriorating cities that now typify much of America.
The Contrast between Madrid and Other Western Cities
Madrid is a city brimming with energy, diversity, and a wide array of people, both locals and tourists from all corners of the globe. This spirit, however, is dwindling in Western European nations grappling with an influx of immigrants, both legal and illegal, and a generation of migrants who have failed to assimilate culturally or politically into their host nations. Some second-generation migrants even harbor resentment or hatred towards their new home countries.
Examples of Struggling Cities
Paris is grappling with ethnic tensions and diversity issues due to the lack of assimilation among new arrivals. London, a city I've lived in and still hold dear, is barely clinging to its cultural identity as it is inundated with migrants from cultures vastly different from traditional British culture. Stockholm is facing rising crime rates and cultural shock due to large-scale immigration. Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, and Denmark are increasingly shutting their doors to protect their traditions, identity, and culture.
The Situation in America
Meanwhile, American cities like New York, Washington, DC, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Portland, Seattle, and many others are witnessing a decline marked by crime, homelessness, and educational neglect.
The Challenge of Migrant Flows
My concern stems from the inability of major Western democracies to manage the massive influx of migrants and refugees from disadvantaged and dangerous countries. These individuals seek better lives for themselves and their children, escaping authoritarian regimes, lack of opportunities, corruption, and violence. Institutions like the World Bank and the United Nations predict massive refugee movements from Third or Fourth world nations due to conflicts and persecutions. Alongside these refugees are individuals granted Temporary Visa Status due to natural disasters or war in their home countries.
The Responsibility of Western Nations
While compassion is a noble sentiment, it seems that the US and Western Europe are the only nations expected to shoulder the responsibility of caring for tens of millions of people who leave their countries for various reasons. Meanwhile, the rest of the world seems to evade any responsibility to contribute to the alleviation of this crisis.
The "Human Tsunami"
The situation in America mirrors the challenges of managing a massive inflow of migrants. Immigration expert Stephen Camarata estimates that over 12.6 million people have crossed the Southern border illegally. This influx, often described as a "human tsunami," is causing significant financial, cultural, political, educational, healthcare, and other costs. One of the consequences is the decline of America's major cities, which were already in a state of potentially irreversible decay.
The Future of America's Urban Areas
The outlook for America's urban areas is grim, due to a combination of political divides, a lack of willingness to address the root causes of the crisis, a shortage of jobs and opportunities, crime, addiction, and a crisis of leadership at the local, state, and federal levels. These leaders, driven by self-interest and incompetence, are a significant part of the problem due to their refusal to develop and implement effective strategies for reform.
Assimilation and the American "Melting Pot"
The surge of immigrants across our borders is exacerbating the problems of America’s cities. We need a coherent, strategic immigration policy, rather than an open-ended system that undermines the nation, its citizens, and its ideals. The American ideal of assimilation is one of acceptance, adaptation, and participation, not rejection of the cultural traits of a migrant's home culture. It is a process of blending, not supplanting, but blending that accepts traditional American ideals as a central focus.
Preserving Cultural Identity
This is why the core culture welcomes immigrants to the "melted" mix by honoring groups that retain and honor the cultures from which they migrated. We need not abandon essential parts of our identities to become part of the American community. We must also recognize the vital importance of family and the need for moral and ethical beliefs. We must foster communication about critical needs and opportunities without hate, intolerance, and contempt, embodying the principle of treating our neighbors as we would like to be treated.
The Future of Migration
The reality of the situation paints a picture that diverges from the World Bank’s and UN’s descriptions and proposed solutions. Predictions by respected institutions such as the McKinsey Global Institute indicate that we could lose 50 percent of US jobs to technology changes by 2030. If these job loss projections are accurate, there will not be enough employment opportunities for a large number of immigrants. This underscores the need for immigration reform that balances compassion with realistic pragmatism.
Bottom Line
The issue of migration and assimilation is complex and fraught with challenges. As we grapple with these issues, it's essential to strike a balance between compassion and pragmatic policy decisions. We must also consider the impact on our cities and communities and strive to maintain the cultural diversity that makes our societies vibrant. What are your thoughts on this issue? Feel free to share this article with your friends and engage in the discussion. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered to your inbox every day at 6pm.
